Judy Kay Secory

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Judy Kay Secory a beloved family member and friend to many.  After a valiant fight with cancer Judy died at home on August 28, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Born and raised in Spring Lake, Michigan, Judy was a 1958 graduate of the Grand Haven Buccaneers and attended Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.  Judy left Spring Lake to attend Michigan State University, but she paused her education to raise her 4 children.  In 1976 Judy returned to Michigan State University and received her bachelors degree in Education and a Masters degree in Special Education. She embarked on an over 30-year teaching career in the Mason Public School district as a special needs teacher.  Judy left an indelible mark on the hundreds of children she taught, often remaining in touch with them after graduation.  She loved to start each day with readings and discussions from the myriad of Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Judy believed learning was more than a matter of academics, she often led fundraising for and chaperoned annual trips with 6th graders to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. 

After spending most of her adult life in Haslett and Okemos, Michigan, Judy relocated to Lawrence, Kansas in 2013 to be closer to family. Judy embraced Lawrence and enjoyed cheering for the Jayhawks.  However, she remained true to her Michigan State Spartan heart and when Tom Izzo’s Spartans were playing ball, she could be heard several houses away cursing every bad call and celebrating every basket!  Her home, garage and clothing were adorned with the Spartan green and white. 

Judy grew up boating, water skiing and enjoying the beaches of Spring Lake and Lake Michigan.  She loved growing up in Coast Guard City USA, participating in the many annual coast guard festival events. Family, the water, the iconic lighthouse, and the musical fountain brought her back to her childhood town every year until her passing.   She instilled this love for Spring Lake, Grand Haven, and the importance of family on her children. In 1997, she started a tradition of summer family reunions on Lake Michigan, affectionately called “Cottage Time” by her family that endured for decades.

Judy was an incredibly compassionate, giving and strong woman.  She believed in the importance of making her community and world a better place. She volunteered extensively with Special Olympics, hospice, the boards of several HOAs, and Family Promise of Lawrence. Judy was especially proud of her volunteer work at LMH Health. 

When Judy wasn’t volunteering, she enjoyed extensive travel with friends and family. She loved the theatre and was a long-time season ticket holder and sponsor at Theatre Lawrence and the Lied Center. Judy was a voracious reader and donated her many books to her neighborhood lending library.  She could also be seen walking miles on the many trails around Lawrence.  She participated in local 5K walks, often winning her age group.  Judy was fond of nightly cards games, her monthly lunch bunch gatherings and happy hours, where she could be found sipping her signature red wine on ice.   

While Judy became impressively adept on social media, she held firmly to her tradition to send handwritten birthday, anniversary and holiday cards, in her beautiful cursive handwriting. She called it a “lost art” and said that cards provided an emotional and physical connection.  She kept and cherished cards and letters she received.

Judy is survived by her four children – Kim O’Donnell (Steve) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Rob Horvath (Tuanchai) of Springfield, Virginia, Kristen Denning (Dale) of Lawrence Kansas and Craig Horvath (Vanessa) of Litchfield Park, Arizona, brothers – Mike Secory (Peg) of Spring Lake, Michigan and Steve Secory (Mimi) of Naples, Florida – 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 2:00pm at Warren-McElwain in Lawrence, Kansas.  A graveside service will be held in Spring Lake, Michigan, where she will be interred next to her parents Ralph and Rosemary Secory.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation in her remembrance to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association Hospice or Family Promise of Lawrence.