Judith Ann Lawless, age 85, of Quincy, died on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 in Blessing Hospital. She was born on March 24, 1941 in Decatur, Illinois the daughter of John and Catherine (Epley) Stauder. Judith graduated from St. Theresa High School where she was a cheerleader and President of the Honor Society. She graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing in 1962. She married Thomas Earl Lawless on October 27, 1962.

Judy was a registered nurse at St. Mary Hospital and later at Blessing Hospital from 1963 until her retirement in 2006. Her nursing career was wide ranging in various areas of medicine including time in Pediatrics, Intermediate Care Unit where she was ACLS Certified, and ending her career on the Child and Adolescent Unit. After retirement she continued working part time as a nurse at Chaddock.

Judy was a dedicated volunteer at St. Peter Church and School where she was a member of the PTA, a Room Mother and an alto in the St. Peter Liturgical Choir from 2001 until 2025. She was a taxi cab driver shuttling her kids to their many activities. Judy also studied at Quincy University.

She enjoyed travel and took many trips with family and friends to destinations including Germany, Ireland, Canada, Boston, Washington DC. and New York City. Trips to see her brother Dave and his wife Kiyo in Albuquerque were always special as was a family trip to Destin in 2024.

Judy loved music and took great pride in watching her children and grandchildren perform. She played the accordion as a young woman and took up piano lessons later in life. Her children do not remember a time in their home when music was not playing or a Cardinal baseball game on the radio. Some of her favorite artists/composers included Chopin, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, James Taylor, George Strait, and The Beatles.

Judy was an armchair Jeopardy! Champion and was a real-life Music Trivia Champion as a member of the infamous Team Lawless at the QND Music Trivia Nights. She was an avid viewer of The Young and the Restless. Gone with The Wind and Rudy were two of her favorite movies. She knew them by heart. She was never far from a field, court or stage where her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were playing a sport or performing. Always cheering on her family with pride and vigor.

Judy loved the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and made her pilgrimage to South Bend for a football game in 2023. Her knowledge of St. Louis Cardinal Baseball was second to none and she rarely missed a game whether on TV, the radio or attending live at Busch Stadium. Baseball Heaven has recruited its newest member.

Always happiest with family around, Judy enjoyed a yearly family reunion in her hometown of Decatur, Il and never missed a Stauder Family Picnic in over 45 years. She showered her family with love and thoughtful gifts. Always a treat for a child or a pet.

Judy’s sense of humor and tender humanity was an integral part of the lives of her friends and family.

She will be missed forever.

Judy is survived by:
HER CHILDREN: Thomas Lawless (Kim) of Pensacola, FL; Timothy Lawless (Polly) of Quincy; Amy Krohn (Kyle) of Quincy; Alan Lawless (Tracey) of Quincy; Sarah LeMaster (Byron) of St. Louis, MO; and Matthew Lawless (Jennifer) of Quincy.
HER GRANDCHILDREN: Joshua Lawless (Kelsey), Madison Lawless, Bailey Lawless (Luke Busateri), Margaret Ann ‘Maggie’ Adrian (Michael), Nora Krohn (Justin King), Evan Krohn, Anna Lawless, Robert LeMaster, Jack Lawless and Joseph Lawless.
HER GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Eleanor Judith Lawless, Valerie Lawless, Maisie Adrian, Allison Stephenson and Alyssa Stephenson,
A SISTER-IN-LAW: Kiyo Stauder
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson Joshua Stephenson, and brothers; Eugene L. Stauder along with his wife Joan, Joseph B. Stauder along with his wife Dora Marie and David T. Stauder.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 at St. Peter Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. A Nurse’s Honor Guard Service will be held at the conclusion of the visitation at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, Quincy Notre Dame or to the American Cancer Society to benefit the Hope Lodge of St. Louis. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.