Judith Lynn (Jefferis) Shore

“Things are never as bad as they seem”                                                                            ~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Judith Lynn Jefferis Shore slipped the surly bonds of this earth on Friday, September 17, 2021, leaving behind a void that can never be filled.  Born to Dr. William and Rosalyn (nee Beeson) Jefferis on December, 14 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, just a day after her husband of 50 years, Gary Shore.  The two were destined to be together, born a day apart, in the same hospital.  Gary would always joke, “I spent the night with your mother the day she was born”.  Their love was undying.

Judy was a graduate of Franklin Central High School and a lifelong resident of Wanamaker, Indiana.  After high school, she attended Butler University where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.  After obtaining a degree in education, Judy began her career at Wanamaker Elementary, teaching kindergarten.  Not long thereafter, children began to arrive and the decision was made to become a fulltime mother, but that decision would not last.  Judy possessed a lifelong drive to teach and eventually opened Kids Kingdom Preschool, where it seemed she educated the majority of Franklin Township.  From there it was on to teach elementary school where she retired in 2014.  But, Judy never really retired, going on to be elected to the Franklin Township School Board in 2016.  A life dedicated to education.

Family and faith, these are two words that best describe Judy’s life.  Her faith was only second to her love for her family.  Judy and Gary’s house was always the center of family life, whether it be the holidays or a simple, “come on over for dinner”.  Their home always felt like everyone’s home.  If you needed a meal, someone to talk to, a place to rest your head, Judy was always there with her arms wide open.  That being said, her children and grandchildren were the apple of her eye.  Spoiled rotten would be the more appropriate term.  While not doting over her family, Judy was an active member in her church, where she will be missed terribly.  She taught Sunday school and was always helping with the food pantry or whatever else was needed.  Her faith was strong and unwavering.

Judy will be missed, is an understatement of the highest order.  The world lost a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and all around amazing human.  She will live on through us, her family and friends.  Judy is survived by her husband, Gary S. Shore; son, Ryan P. (Holly Titus) Shore; daughters, Laura F. (Chad Engel) Shore and Abigail E. (Bryan) Hiatt; sister, Patricia J. (William) Pierce; grandchildren, Madelyn G. Hiatt, Saffron J. Shore, Baxter W. Shore, Hanna R. Engel and Russell A. Hiatt.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Church of the Living Water, 133 South Post Road, Indianapolis, Indiana.

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