Judy Hess

Judy A. (Trent) Grider-Hess, 76, of Loves Park passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021, in her home.  Born November 10, 1945, in Bowling Green, KY, the daughter of Ben Riddle and Lethea (Wilson) Trent.  As a young child, Judy was one of the victims of the polio epidemic in 1950.  She was told if she lived, she would never walk, but that never slowed her down.  She was the best slalom water skier in the whole family.  Judy attended school in Argyle School, Garrison Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High School and graduated with the West Rockford High School, Class of 1963.  While still in high school she worked for East State Auto and then Fairway Motor Company.  After graduation, she worked as the office manager of Goldblatts.  She married Ron Grider in March of 1969, and their daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1971.  After her divorce, Judy married Melvin James Hess on November 22, 1980, in Rockton.  While she was working, she received her associate degree in Applied Sciences and Accounting from Rock Valley College in 1991.  She spent 20 years at LandStar Inway Transportation Company of Rockford, retiring in 2014, after suffering a stroke.  Not only did she add four stepchildren to her family, but also a wonderful group of grandchildren.  Judy loved to read, watch movies, enjoyed being outdoors, gardening and waterskiing.  She loved her cats and fishpond.  Judy was a devoted mother to her daughter, loved her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.  Each year she enjoyed taking all the grandkids out in the fall to choose pumpkins, pick apples, and eat donuts.  She enjoyed fishing in Wisconsin with her husband, Mel, children, and grandchildren, and traveling to Saugatuck, MI, for family holidays.  She was a joy to us all.  Survivors include her daughter, Jennifer Bourgault; stepchildren, Debbie (Ted) Hess-Simmering, M. Todd (Pamela) Hess, Brett Hess, and Lisa Hess; grandchildren, Jacob (Katherine) Simmering, Jordan Simmering, Jack Simmering, Morgan (John) Ptasnik, Clayton Hess, Tyler Hess, Cory Ellis, Lindsey Ellis and Nick Krause; great-grandchildren, Damon Ellis, Melina Simmering, Charlie Simmering, and Theo Ptasnik; sister, Peg (John) Sanford of Saugatuck, MI; brothers, Stuart “Stu” (Joann) Trent of Dahlonega, GA, and Henry (Vicki) Trent of Brighton, MI; several nieces and nephews; and her feline with cattitude, Gracie.  Predeceased by her parents; husbands, Ronald Grider and Melvin Hess.  The family wishes to thank her daughter, Jennifer; stepdaughter, Lisa; granddaughter, Lindsey; sister, Peg; OSF Hospice; and Yolanda, for their loving care.

Graveside inurnment at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2021, in Argyle Scottish Cemetery, Caledonia, where she will be interred next to her husband, Mel.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to OSF Hospice.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.