Judith Anne Stafford Denniston

Judith Anne Stafford Denniston of White Lake, passed away at her home, Tuesday evening, May 7, 2019. She was 80 years old, and in declining health for some time.

Judy was born July 27, 1938, in Chicago, to Philip and Mattie Mae (Metzger) Stafford. Judy grew up in the same home until marriage, attending Calumet High School, where she graduated with honors in 1956. Judy went on to attend Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., graduating with a BA in English. She met Donn H. Denniston at Monmouth and they were married in Chicago Sept. 9, 1961. They were blessed with three children, Karen, David and Dan. Judy taught high school English at Oak Lawn High School in Oak Lawn, Ill., prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom until the children graduated. She returned to her profession by teaching high school English as a second language to adults in the Farmington Public School district.

Judy was very active in the Southfield Presbyterian Church, as well as the First Presbyterian Church in Farmington and the First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Fla. She served on numerous committees and was a member of the choir at each church. She served as Elder and was a commissioner at the Presbytery of Detroit, and was also an active member of the Greater Detroit Alumnae Chapter of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Judy enjoyed time with family and friends, her churches, volunteering and traveling.

Judy is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 58 years, Donn; her daughter, Karen of Livonia, Mich.; her two sons, David of Columbus, Ohio, and Dan (Kristen) of White Lake; five grandchildren, Christian of Red Hook, N.Y., Riley of Columbus, Ohio, and Henry of Pickerington, Ohio (and their mother, Tracey), and Regan of White Lake, and Ryan of White Lake; her brother, William “Bill” (Susan) Stafford of St. Louis, Mo.; brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Denniston of Williamsburg; and nieces and nephews, Jeff, Jon and Kristin of Iowa, and Philip and Jill of Illinois.

Judy’s family will receive guests from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday morning, May 25 at the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, 26165 Farmington Road (at Eleven Mile Road), Farmington Hills. Her memorial ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. A luncheon at church will follow.

Private interment is planned for Union Memorial Cemetery in Newton.

In lieu of customary remembrances, those who wish to further honor Judy’s life are invited to consider contributions to the

[ First Presbyterian Church of Farmington Endowment Fund ]

or the

[ Michigan Parkinson Foundation ]

.