Judith "Judy" Neely (Unruh)

Judith “Judy” Unruh Neely, age 88, of Apple Valley, Minn., passed away peacefully at home on Friday evening, February 14, 2025.

The daughter of Paul and Eileen (Bennett) Unruh, Judith Annamae Unruh was born on May 22, 1936, in Chicago, Ill. At a young age, Judy’s family moved to Davenport, Ia. and later to New Jersey, where she graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in West Caldwell. She then continued her education at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Ind., to pursue her love of art. After graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, she and two friends moved to New York City to follow their dreams. While there, Judy worked as a secretary as well as an artist. One of her New York roommates, Mary “Tiny” Poff, introduced Judy to her brother Bill and ultimately became Judy’s sister in law.

On November 28, 1959, she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Bruce Neely in Boonton, N.J. After brief stops in Arlington, Va., and Hatfield, Pa., the couple moved to Telford, Pa. in 1961, and they were blessed with six children and many memories prior to Bill’s passing in 1997. While the kids were young, Judy stayed home to raise their family. She later became one of the first computer programmers of her time. After more than 40 years in Telford, Judy moved to Apple Valley, Minn. in 2003 to be closer to some of her children.

Outside of work and caring for her family, Judy enjoyed painting and was a lifelong crafter and scrapbooker. She was a voracious reader and a huge sports fan, especially football. She was an active member of the Democratic Party and ran for elected office more than once. In her younger years, she was a passionate part of the anti-Vietnam War and Women’s Rights movements. Judy loved to spend time on the beach at Emerald Isle, N.C., go on cruises, and travel to Michigan, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Berkeley Springs, W.Va. to spend time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; two children, Christopher Neely and Susan Neely Turchick; and two brothers, Paul Unruh and Bill Unruh.

Judy is survived by four children, Timothy Neely of Madison Heights, Va., Mary (Ric) Woerner of Wirtz, Va., Eileen Neely (Rick Picardi) of Minneapolis, Minn., and Nancy (Bart) Wheeler of Augusta, Mich.; two sons-in-law, Edward Turchick of Apple Valley and Terence Beard of Grand Rapids, Mich.; six grandchildren, Stephanie (Johnny) Houseman, Beth Woerner, Jacquelyn Beard, Steven (Abby) Woerner, Phillip Turchick, and Emily Beard; one great-grandchild, Aila Woerner; two siblings, Michael (Jan) Unruh and Andrea Linde; three sisters-in law, Mary “Tiny Poff, Carolyn Neely, and Betty Neely; best friend, Barb Ryan; and by countless nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at Sadler-Seuss Funeral Home in Telford, Pa. on April 5. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michigan Lupus Foundation, 30200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 170, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, or https://milupus.donordrive.com/event/judyneelylupus.

Arrangements are being completed by Henry W. Anderson Mortuary of Apple Valley.