Judy A. Avalos
LOVES PARK - Judy (Gibson) Avalos went home to Jesus on March 1, 2024. Judy was born in Stevens Point, WI on September 5, 1954 to Louise Walters and Arthur Hetzer. Judy was raised by and grew up with her step-father’s last name of Gibson. Judy grew up roller skating in Newton, IA. Her parents owned a roller rink nearby Newton as well. She graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1972. She was a Majorette in the band and a dancer outside of school as well. She went on to attend college in Ankeny, Iowa for Accounting/ Bookkeeping. Years later she attended college in
Marshfield, WI for Medical Transcription. She married David Robson in 1973 and they had one daughter, Stacy. They later divorced.
Judy and Stacy eventually moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI where Judy was employed by Riverview Hospital and Holiday Gas Station. On January 11, 1992, she married Gil Avalos, who she met at Super America in Grinnell, IA and dated for years. They moved to Sacramento, CA in 1992. Judy worked at Kaiser Permanente for 21 years in various different departments. She was a Medical Secretary in Palliative Care, Psychiatry and Quality Control. Judy’s only grandchild (Dominic) was born in July 2001 which was undoubtedly the happiest moment of her life. Gil passed away in August of 2002. Judy moved to Illinois several years later to be nearer to her family.
While living in California, Judy became involved in church. Upon moving to Illinois, she became a very active member of City First Church in Rockford. She volunteered several days a week in their church office for many years and loved her church family. Judy loved to travel. She had taken previous trips to Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean and many locations within the United States. Her most recent trip was in 2022 to Alaska on a cruise.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Stacy Meyer (Darron Halfacre); grandson, Dominic Meyer; sister, Micki (Bob) Ceplina; nieces, Julie (Dennis) Volk and Laura (Bill) Dolphin; nephew, Bo (Sandy) Ceplina; many great nieces and nephews; and countless friends who consider her part of their family.
Our beloved mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend entered into the arms of our Lord on March 1, 2024. We should remind ourselves that while this is the end of Judy’s physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her where her health and body are restored and she’s reunited with all of her loved ones who went before her. She is at peace and we will meet again.
We would like to thank Northern Illinois Hospice, the Caretakers at Home Instead – especially Robin, all of the Teams at UW Hospital that cared for Judy (Neuro ICU, Medical ICU, TLC Unit, General Medicine, Palliative Care and every other specialty you can think of as I’m sure there are others we are missing), the staff at Van Matre and all of her friends/family (City First included) who have helped us get through these last several months.
Visitation will be held from 9:00am to 11:00am on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at City First Church, 5950 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, IL 61114. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am following the visitation. The family would like to invite you all to a luncheon celebrating Judy’s life immediately following the service. Burial will take place at Belvidere Cemetery following the luncheon.