Judith M Jennison

Judith Mary Backus Jennison (Judy) was born September 6, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to Robert F. and Catherine C. Backus. Surrounded by her loving family, Judy joined the Lord in Heaven on July 22, 2014 at age 69 after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer.

Judy is survived by her children Laurie Castille and husband Randal, Christine Stidham and husband Bret, Thomas Jennison, five granddaughters Lauren Moody and husband Ryan, Brittany Dowd and husband Tim, Kia Hatfield and husband Jon, Madison Stidham, and Whitney Castille, great grandson, Jaxson Moody, sister Cathy McDade and husband Jim, brother Robert Backus and wife Cecelia and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Jerome (Jerry) Jennison and her parents Robert and Catherine Backus.

Judy graduated high school in 1962 from Villa Angela Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. She married Jerry Jennison in 1963. The family moved to Dallas in 1976 where she raised her four children always making their needs the highest priority in her life. With a knack for problem-solving she spent 31 years working at Texas Instruments and retired in 2009.

With a love for the outdoors and flowers, Judy had a sustaining membership at the Dallas Arboretum for many years. She would take every opportunity she could to visit the arboretum with family and friends and take photos of the flowers of each season.

We will miss her dearly, think of her constantly, and remember all of the lessons of life (and death) that she taught us. We wish to extend our heartfelt love and appreciation to the caregivers, friends and family that have comforted and prayed for her. Your love and support carried her through the toughest times.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 600 South Jupiter Road, Richardson, TX 75081. Inurnment in the St. Joseph columbarium will immediately follow the funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, Judy and the family request that contributions in her memory be made to the Samuel Szabo Foundation. www.samuelszabofoundation.org