Judith Jane Morse passed away on August 7, 2025, her 85th birthday, at Elkhart General Hospital after a brief illness. On her final day she received many visitors, hugs, calls, texts, and well wishes from family, friends and the hospital staff. Judy was born to William and Ruth (Kelly) Sheehan on August 7, 1940 in South Bend, Indiana and was a lifelong resident of the area.

Judy graduated from St Mary's High School in South Bend and received a BA in Business from Loyola Marymount University in 1962. After graduation she returned to South Bend and taught art to young students at The Stanley Clark School. She then spent the next several years raising her six children, which was her life's true passion.  Judy flourished in the role of mother and enthusiastically embraced the bottles, diapers, laughter and chaos of family life.

When her children entered their teen years, Judy embarked on a successful career in Marketing and Admissions in the Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing industry. Throughout her career she was admired as someone who believed in providing quality care with compassion. Judy was also a fighter and in her 50's battled Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma twice.  Her cancer remained in remission until her death.

Judy was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mishawaka. She volunteered at St Margaret's House helping to prepare Friday lunches for women and children in need. Judy loved tennis, crossword puzzles and reading. She remained active and liked to walk her grand-dog Jake. She was also adventurous and visited many parks and beaches well into her 80's. She enjoyed the support and companionship she found at her weekly Alanon meetings, lunches at Chicory Café and monthly book club gatherings.  But above all, Judy loved spending time with her family, whom she loved unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

Judy married Franklin (Steve) Morse on August 17, 1963, and they were married for 20 years.  Together they had six children: Mary Claire (Tim) Galloway of Osceola, Molly Morse of Niles MI, Stephen (Kristina) Morse of Comstock Park MI, Francie (Brian) Burkhard of San Rafael CA, Peter Morse of Sea Tac WA and Michael Morse of South Bend.  Judy cherished her 14 grandchildren; Kadi Wood, Courtney, Riley (Maggie), and Luke Galloway, Sam, Marijane, and Mars Morse, Nicole, Lauren, and Maggie Huber, Ruby and Calvin Burkhard, and Gus and Edie Morse. She also adored her 5 great grandchildren; Sabine, Jonah, Hudson, Hazel and Gatlin.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Ruth, her brothers Bill (Diana), Jack (Janna), and Tom (Suzanne) Sheehan and by her sister Jill (Bill) Hornet. Judy is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She also left behind her dear friends Sharon Melton, Ann Basil and sister-in-laws Janna and Diana Sheehan and Kitty Duncan.

Her family would like to thank the caring doctors, nurses and staff of Memorial and Elkhart General Hospitals as well as the wonderful staff at Hubbard Hill Rehabilitation. A special thanks to her primary care doctor, Dr. Shelley Morris, DO for her comprehensive and compassionate care.

Visitation will take place Friday, August 22, 2025, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Rd, Mishawaka IN 46544, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Burial will take place at Highland Cemetery, 2257 Portage Ave., South Bend IN 46616 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Judy's honor to St Margaret's House or Christ Child Society of South Bend.

To leave a message for the family, please go to ChapelHillMemorial.com