Judy Kay Morse

Judy Kay (Newcomb) Morse was a very caring woman who modeled a lifetime of hard work and sincere compassion for others. She was a loving and supportive wife, mother, and cherished friend to many. Gone too soon, Judy’s genuine kindness and sincere friendship will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The 1950s were known as the decade of the baby boomer and the modern American family. Television was growing in popularity, and families joined together in living rooms across the nation to catch the latest westerns or anything featuring Lucille Ball. Proud parents, William and Donna Newcomb, welcomed home their newborn daughter, Judy Kay, on November 23, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her birth brought joy and much happiness to their family.

Judy was raised in Kalamazoo and learned the value of hard work from her parents. Her mother worked as a cashier, and her dad was the bread man for Shaffer’s. A proud moment of her teenage years was getting her first car, an off-white Ford Galaxy. Judy worked at the local Burger King to have gas money and extra funds to pay for her favorite things. She attended Portage Northern High School and graduated with the Class of 1968. She was very outgoing and found herself exploring and hanging out with friends quite frequently. Judy somehow found her own share of mischief, sometimes with her siblings and sometimes with friends. Once, she snuck out of the house with a girlfriend and drove to Chicago. When they returned, they were caught red handed!

Not to be forgotten is the mention of her high school sweetheart, Eugene. They met in math class. Judy would tease him about his white socks, and somehow that led to a connection where they both understood one another’s humor. A few years later, she spotted him sitting under a tree at a party and walked over and sat on his lap! Their strong bond led to marriage on June 14, 1974, at the Kalamazoo courthouse. The newlyweds traveled to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to stay with her brother and sister-in-law for their honeymoon. Together, they raised a beautiful family.

In addition to raising kids and managing the household, Judy worked outside the home and held many special pastimes. She enjoyed working at Fon Bont for several years alongside the nuns. When she later hurt her back, she needed to leave that job. During her time working with the sisters, she gained a wonderful relationship with them and learned to pray. When she lost a diamond, she prayed to St. Joseph, and remarkably, the diamond showed up on the same day! Judy saw the value of having a life of prayer and discipline. She treasured those years and held the memories close.

Judy also had activities that kept her going. She had a special group of girlfriends she loved. They would always find things to do together, whether it was road trips or heading out for dinner. Nothing brought her greater joy than surrounding herself with people. Judy was a loyal friend and always up for having a good time. Back home, she spent time in her flower beds. She loved gardening and had a real knack for keeping her plants thriving. Eugene would mow, rake, and shovel, while she would do all the gardening. She found solace among her flowers. She and Eugene also enjoyed traveling together and camping. They went out West and toured San Francisco, California, North and South Dakota, and Tennessee. They also went out East on a road trip. Cooking was something Judy enjoyed. She loved making her garlicy chicken and rice dish, which became Marc’s favorite. She also loved Chinese and spaghetti and made great cakes!

Judy lived boldly with style and grace. Her presence made the world brighter and more vibrant. Described as selfless as well as resilient, Judy will be deeply missed by her loving family and many close friends. May they be comforted in knowing they were loved beyond measure, and may her memories live on in their hearts forevermore.

Judy Kay Morse, age 73, of Paw Paw, died on September 24, 2025. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved son, Shawn Morse, and her brother Mike Newcomb. Surviving are her husband, Eugene Morse; son, Marc Morse (Tammy Antisdel); grandchildren: Madison, Nelson, Lily; siblings: Nancy (Dave) Brown, Tom (Teresa) Newcomb; nieces and nephews: Ronnie, Amy, Ryan, Andy, Charlie, and Eric; great-nieces and great-nephews: Zachary, Chloe, Tyler, CJ, Weston, Everett, Olivia, Sophia, Brodie, Keagan, Kendall; bonus grandchildren: Taylor, Alyssa, Myranda; bonus great-grandchildren: Blake, Brooklynn, Lillee; many aunts and uncles; and formerly married to Wendell Thrasher.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Wednesday, October 1st at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center, where food, drinks, and stories can be shared. Burial at Ft Custer National Cemetery.

Celebrate Judy’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.