Memorial

Judy Ann Lawson, 68, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday February 11, 2017 due to complications from a thirty year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday March 26, 2017 at the Unitarian Church, at 6300 A. Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68510. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. 

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Doug, her children; Marci (Lawson) Stuart and husband Dan of Antioch, Illinois, Miles Lawson and wife Shannon (Ivory) of St. Paul, Minnesota and Damian Lawson and wife Anna Ressman of Chicago, Illinois. Also surviving are four grandchildren; Kaylee and Hannah Stuart, Layla and Lennon Lawson, her sister, Sharon Hile and husband Ron of Lincoln, Nebraska, nieces, nephews and many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death her parents, James and Elsie (Philburn) Boyd, her sisters; Sylvia (Pat) Smith, June (Bill) Norman and May (Louis) Schamp. Judy was also preceded in death by her beloved pets, Kitten-Kitten-Calley-Kitten and Socks. 

Judy was born October 29, 1948 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the youngest of 5 daughters, to James and Elsie (Philburn) Boyd. She married Doug Lawson on May 31, 1969 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  She was a graduate of Lincoln High School, class of 1967, and was a lifelong Corn Husker fan. Judy enjoyed working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a variety of nursing homes during her life throughout Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.  Judy was an avid bird watcher and animal lover. She spent much of her free time feeding, studying and watching birds, squirrels and loving local stray cats, as well as her own cats. She also loved reading books, especially anything by authors, Stephen King, Jean Auel, Stephanie Meyer, Anne Rice and J.R.R. Tolkien. Judy enjoyed creating, crafting, and sewing and loved playing video games over the past years, especially the Final Fantasy series.