Judith Ann Lawrence Gourd

Judith Ann (Judy) Gourd, most beloved wife and cherished aunt, passed away gracefully and peacefully Saturday, May 19, 2018 from complications of bladder cancer and Lewy body dementia at Trinity Center with her family at her side. Born in Des Moines in 1945, Judy was 72 when she slipped away to be with her Lord.

She graduated from East High in 1963 and never looked back. Her sister Joyce showed her the ropes at the old Wilden Clinic cafeteria. She continued on as a cashier after it was absorbed by Des Moines General Hospital, working there over thirty years. Her future husband kept picking her cafeteria line to go through. After being introduced and dating for eight months with a quick three-week engagement, Judy and Stan were married in Des Moines in August 1982. When General finally closed, she went to Mercy Hospital, retiring there as the evening switchboard operator, having memorized every hospital extension and doctor's number, or so her coworkers said.

She loved to cook, eat, and dine out entertaining friends; one look at Stan attests to that. Her favorite hobby was paying bills, she was without a late payment in thirty-five years. Judy loved to drive, and her new cars. Like her sisters, she wouldn't go up on sidewalks after cats but, without ever being able to actually score any hits, any cats in the street were fair game. Wheel of Fortune was a favorite, and when she solved the answer before Stan, it was a triumph. Judy was a truly remarkable woman, homemaker, and friend.

Judy was preceded by her parents, Vernon A. and Lenna B. Lawrence; sisters, Joanne (Elwayne 'Brick') Brickman, Joyce Lawrence, and infant Shirley; brothers, Ray (Julie) Barker and Vernon A. (Shirley) Lawrence.

Remaining to remember her love are husband, Stan; two sisters-in-law, Teresa Gourd and Julie Barker; three brothers-in-law, John and Patrick Gourd, and Joe Gourd of Des Moines; cousin, Carolyn Wright; an uncountable host of Lawrence and Gourd nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; great friends, Euelene Floyd of Enid, OK, and Sandy Sable, Rosie Hazen, Sue Freerksen, and Rachel Agans and family, all of Des Moines; along with a veritable horde of other friends. If she knew you, Judy loved you and wasn't the slightest bit shy in letting you know.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 24th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 25th, also at Hamilton’s, and will conclude with interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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