BLOOMINGTON
Julia (Judy) Ross Stoops, born April 30, 1935, Judy grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, the only daughter of Dr. Ben R. and Julia H. Ross, spoiled by her big brothers, Jimmy and Hank. She graduated from The University High School in 1953 and attended Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana where she met and married her husband of 29 years, James A. Stoops. They eventually made their home in Crown Point, Indiana where they raised their five children.
Judy was kind and welcoming to everyone she met, and those who were hurting, or in trouble, were guaranteed a sympathetic listening ear and any help she could give them. She was gifted with a quiet strength and determination that served her well all her life. She dearly loved her family, and, once she made a friend, they were friends forever.
If there is a Rainbow Bridge on the way to Heaven, Judy was greeted there by a huge crowd of adoring animals waiting for her return. She loved all creatures great and small, from the largest mammal to the fascinating spider, and instilled a deep respect for all living things in her own children and others. Our house and yard were always filled with animals of all kinds. Schools and other youth organizations made regular field trips to “Mom’s Petting Zoo. She also packed up her large van and took her zoo on the road – into the city schools where she was a big hit.
Judy passed on many valuable life skills to her own children, and others – always leading by example and providing encouragement- never discouraging us from pursuing our own path. She was an accomplished artist in multiple mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpting, stained glass and made sure to provide us with all the tools needed to explore our own abilities. She also had the greenest of thumbs and created the most colorful gardens wherever she lived. In her later years, Judy became Master Gardener and shared her knowledge of gardening with many others.
She was very community minded. When we moved to a small lake, she not only signed up her own kids for the swim team, but also became a team coach to help other kids. She joined the local Red Cross lifesaving team and participated in several lifesaving attempts on our lake. It is hard to measure the extent of our mother’s legacy and influence on our lives. She constantly gave of herself to her children and others. When sons were ready for boy scouts, she became a den mother. When daughters were ready for girl scouts, she became a Brownie leader, and then she became a 4-H Club leader. She found her calling when she started a 4-H Dairy Goat Club in Lake County, IN, for which she continued to mentor kids of all ages long after her own children had grown.
Judy had a lifelong fascination with log cabins, and finally bought her own little cabin in 1990, when she was 55 years old. It was located near the artistic community of Nashville, Indiana, not far from Bloomington where she grew up. Her artist’s heart was delighted to be enveloped in Nashville and its creative community, where she made many more friends. Though she seldom worked outside the home when her children were growing up, she did enjoy part time jobs in Nashville gift shops and nearby Brown County State Park while she lived there.
In her 60’s Judy was diagnosed with, and survived, breast cancer. In 2009, at 74 years of age, she developed Alzheimer’s/dementia and could no longer live alone in her little cabin. She was welcomed into the home of her daughter Kathy’s family in Pennsylvania, where she was able to spend the next 6 years puttering in the gardens, playing with the family’s dogs and cats, and going on outings with her family. At 80 years of age, for her safety, Judy returned to her hometown of Bloomington IN and entered a skilled nursing facility. In March of 2023, after the pandemic restrictions had ended, Kathy moved her down to a facility in Elkin, NC near where she and her husband had relocated and where she could keep a closer watch over Judy’s care. On April 30, 2024, Judy celebrated her 89th birthday, then her last Mother’s Day, at which time an infection took hold of her tired body. After a 15 year battle with Alzheimer’s, our beloved Mother, Julia “Judy” Ross Stoops, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 25, 2024, with family at her side.
Judy is survived by her five children: Katherine A. Queitzsch (Chuck), North Carolina; James D. Stoops (Deyanira), Kansas; Robert B. Stoops (Sue), Minnesota; Mark A. Stoops (Kara), Indiana; Tamara Joy (Paul), Florida. She was blessed with seven precious grandchildren: Leslie Genetti (Gregg); Rebecca Stoops (Evan); Mark J. Stoops (Grace); Caitlin (CJ) White (Jeremy); Bryan Queitzsch; Chloe and Willow Reagan-Stoops; and one great grandson: Nicholas Genetti; as well as many dear nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren. Also, treasured friends, Kathie Wilson, since their school days; Gillian Field, a fellow enthusiast of all growing things; and those extra special, loving caregivers who went above and beyond in Judy’s care during her years of Alzheimer’s.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, her beloved parents and three brothers: Henry, Donald and Dr. James Ross; two sisters-in-law: Joy Ross and Carol Ross; a niece, Sherry Ross; and is the last of her immediate family.
A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to the following:
Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Flr 17, Chicago, IL 60601
(or) American Cancer Society, cancer.org, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741
(or) the animal or children’s charity of your choice
Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com
