Judith Ann (Vaughn) Hays was born in Louisville, Kentucky, where she met and married her husband of 50+ years, Roy Burks Hays. After Roy joined the Air Force (since the Navy recruiter was out to lunch,) Judith found herself thrust into the vagabond life of a military wife.

While traveling across the US and abroad, she raised three sons: Kevin, who both graduated from and taught at the U.S. Naval Academy; Roy Christopher, a chemical engineer and teacher; and Jason, an actor-turned-firefighter/paramedic. She was proud of her boys, and loved their wives, Laurie, Kathy, & Michele, as her daughters. She adored being a Grammy to Meghan, Brenna, Kelly, Scott, Jack, Libby, & Maggie, and was thrilled to have a great-granddaughter, Lily.

After finally "settling down" in Ohio, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Judith loved working as a Librarian, especially helping patrons with research projects. She was also a strong labor activist, promoting union issues within the Ohio library system. She was an avid advocate for Literacy, and helped young children learn by bringing her "reader" dogs, Ellie and Tux, into schools for them to practice their reading skills to a perfectly non-judgmental, non-corrective audience. She frequently tutored English composition and speech to adult English Language Learners. She and Roy became long-time active members of the St. Christopher's Episcopal Church community in Fairborn, Ohio where she loved to teach Sunday School.

Judith also worked for many years as a successful commercial and stage actress. In addition to her professional acting career, she also delighted children with her holiday portrayals of Mrs. Claus, in a costume she made herself, as she was an accomplished seamstress and crafter.

Her heart and humor will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the following charities:

K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore, or
Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that provides inmate-trained service dogs to wounded veterans.

Please join the family for a Remembrance Tea on Monday, February 24th at 10 am until 12 noon in the Sun Room at 1 Calvin Circle, Westminster Place Presbyterian Homes, Evanston IL 60201.

 Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com