
Services
August 16, 2025
Saturday
11:00 AM
First Congregational Church of Western Springs Preschool
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Judith Ann Gaylord, nee Terp, beloved wife of Joe Gaylord of Western Springs, IL, passed away peacefully in LaGrange on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Judy was born October 26, 1939, in Chicago, to the late Harold and Geraldine Terp. Judy graduated from Carl Shurz High School in 1957. She attended The University of Illinois in Champaign where she met the love of her life, Joe Gaylord. She pledged Chi Omega sorority and formed lifelong friendships. She graduated with a B.S. in Childhood Development/ Recreation in 1961.
Judy and Joe married on August 20, 1961. Their son Jeffrey was born in 1963, and their daughter Susan was born in 1967. Judy and Joe enjoyed attending their children’s concerts as well as Chicago Symphony concerts, and during their summers off, they always took the family on many camping trips, both near and far.
Judy and Joe lived in Chicago, Broadview, and finally Western Springs. Judy taught Tiny Tots at the Broadview Park District, and she was the director of the Highlands Country Preschool in LaGrange. She loved working with children, and they adored her. Judy was active in the Western Springs community, serving as Room Mother, Brownie Leader, Picture Lady, and more. She taught the American Red Cross Babysitting Class for several years. Judy enjoyed her friends and was involved in the Red Hatters, P.E.O., and Best Friends Club. She was the president of the Western Springs Garden Club, which she dearly loved. Judy was also very involved in her church, The First Congregational Church of Western Springs and enjoyed her time with Women’s Society.
After Judy and Joe retired, they enjoyed travels to Maryland, Florida, England, Italy, Hawaii, and Mexico.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Pat Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Joe, son Jeffrey (Mary) of Severna Park, MD, and daughter, Susan Lieske (Todd) of Arlington Heights; grandsons Eddie of Henderson, NV, and George, of Baltimore, MD.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at First Congregational Church of Western Springs, 1106 Chestnut Street, Western Springs, IL.
Inurnment Private
Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Judith Gaylord Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.