Moore, Judith Marie

Judith Marie Moore, Ph.D.

Judith Marie Moore, 69, of Waxhaw, N.C., died Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Carolinas Medical Center.

Judy's greatest passions were the outdoors and animals, education and her family. She was born August 18, 1941, in Polk County, Iowa, to Wilma Grace (Lorimor) and Wilbur Leroy Moore, who at the time of her birth was overseas fighting in World War II. Growing up on an Iowa farm, Judy found her love of the outdoors and strong belief in hard work. As a teenager, she loved 4-H and showing her Black Angus calves. She was always an outstanding student and at Earlham High School, she was a cheerleader and the 1959 Homecoming Queen. Judy graduated from the University of Iowa in 1963, with High Distinction from the College of Nursing and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. While in college, she married Richard Bobenhouse, a medical student also from Earlham, Iowa, and had their first daughter, Sharon in 1962. After Dick's graduation from medical school, twins Richard and Patricia were born (1964) and the family resided in Earlham, Newton and Iowa City, Iowa.

Once again in Iowa City, Judy received her Master of Nursing Degree at the University of Iowa where she was a nursing instructor. In 1971, the family moved to an acreage outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Always a farm girl and animal lover, Judy planted beautiful gardens, successfully managed the family's horse business and adopted numerous homeless animals including a raccoon, ferrets, a lamb, a miniature pony, and many cats and dogs.

Judy was also a teacher naturalist and president of the Indian Creek Nature Center, president of Squaw Creek Elementary PTA, a 4-H leader, and, of course, a student at the University of Iowa. She received her Ph.D. in Marital and Family Counseling from the University of Iowa and worked in private counseling and at St. Luke's Hospital.

Judy and Dick divorced in 1985. In 2000, Judy moved to North Carolina to be near her daughter, Sharon and her family. Judy quickly became part of the community and joined Matthews United Methodist Church and worked at Positive Impact in Monroe. In 2003, along with her daughter, Patty, purchased an acreage in Waxhaw and, of course, quickly adopted many homeless animals.

Judy was a member of the Waxhaw Women's Club, volunteered at the Museum of the Waxhaws, established Waxhaw Family Counseling, and was passionate about her grandson Nick's baseball team - the Rawdogs. If asked how she wanted to be remembered, Judy probably would have humbly said, “for her accomplishments in education, her love of animals and her devotion to her family and friends.” We will always remember her for her strength in difficult times, kindness, gentleness, grace, unselfishness and, most of all, her compassion for her clients, friends, animals, and family.

Survivors include a daughter and spouse, Sharon and Robert Murrer of Matthews, N.C.; a daughter, Dr. Patricia Bobenhouse of Waxhaw, N.C.; a son, Richard Bobenhouse of Denver, Colo.;, four grandchildren, Amy and spouse, Nicolas Sosa, Andrew Murrer, Elizabeth Murrer and Nicholas Murrer; brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Betsy Moore; sister-in-law, Lori Bobenhouse; three nieces, Dr. Kathryn Sentena, Heather Betcher and Sarah Fairchild; three nephews, Christopher Moore, Andrew Moore and Andrew Bobenhouse; great-granddaughter, Carolina Sosa; best friend, Karol Weakland; her ex-husband, Dick and wife; aunt, June Kern; and uncle and aunt, Alden and Martha Lorimor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma and Wilbur Moore; and grandson, Charles Murrer.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel, 3700 Forest Lawn Dr., Matthews, N.C. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Matthews United Methodist Church. Graveside services and burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Penn Center Cemetery in Earlham, Iowa. Local arrangements in Iowa will be handled by Kuhn Funeral Homes.

Memorial contributions may be made in Judy's name to: Hooved Animal Humane Society, 10804 McConnell Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098.

The Moore family is in the care of Heritage Funeral Home - Weddington Chapel.