Judith Lee Lewis

Born Judith Lee Hanson in Cleveland, Ohio on September 27, 1943, Judy passed away on June 7, 2024 from complications due to dementia. In between those dates, she was busy. Due to parental pressure, she moved to Minneapolis in 1945 where she spent her time making lifelong friends at Minneapolis Public Schools, as early as kindergarten. After she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961, she attended Hamline University where she met Ralph P. Lewis. It was love at first sight and they were married in June of 1963. Judy and Ralph raised three amazing children in their Minneapolis house. When that house proved too small for the gifted kids, they moved to Minnetonka where Judy started her career in the Hopkins Public Schools in 1975, as a grade school playground lady. Two years later, in 1977, Judy took a job in the same school district as an Audio Visual Aide at West Jr. High School. But it was not long before she moved into the role of administrative assistant to the principal, a position she held until her retirement in 2007. As an administrative assistant, Judy dealt with panicked teachers, wearied administrative staff, and a rushed principal on a daily basis while remaining pleasant, polite and calm. She dealt with each person and situation as if it were the most important thing she had to do that day. She moved the impossible to the tasks-completed pile. Judy was also known for her daily lunches of 1/2 sandwich and a handful of baby carrots with an occasional apple. When Judy was not working, she spent many summer and weekend days with her husband Ralph at the cabin they built near Aitken, MN. She did not fish nor did she waterski, but she relaxed in a pink paddleboat or on the dock and played with her grandchildren. Unfortunately, Judy lost her husband Ralph suddenly in 1996. She leaned on her mother, children, and friends for support. This eventually led her to Don Popovich, whom Judy married in December of 2001. Judy had six grandchildren. When she married Don, she became a grandmother to seven more. She loved all her grandchildren and her new home in Bloomington became a favorite place for everyone to visit. Judy was careful to honor the traditions of each family while adding new ones for all to enjoy. With Don, Judy rekindled her enjoyment of golf, cribbage, bridge, and travel. Together they went on numerous trips and cruises worldwide and made many new lifelong friends from all over the world. They had 18 wonderful years together, supporting each other as they aged. Judy was widowed again in 2019. She was able to remain in her house with the love and support of her children for two more years, at which point she moved to Beehive Homes of Maple Grove to help care for her after dementia made it impossible for her to live on her own. At Beehive, Judy was known for her great sense of humor, kindness, and acceptance of everyone. She made great friends in her short time there; people even wondered if they had been friends before moving into Beehive. One particular afternoon with a couple of her friends, Judy wrote a note to the chef trying to convince him they needed dessert with breakfast. Shortly thereafter, they enjoyed cookies with breakfast. Judy will be remembered for her kindness, patience, acceptance of others, and her curiosity. There were many people from all stages of her life with whom she would enjoy a glass of wine and call a friend. If you are one of those, lift a glass and have a toast in Judy's honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Judith Lee Lewis

September 27, 1943 - June 7, 2024

Tributes

Judith Lee Lewis

September 27, 1943 - June 7, 2024

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