Judith Ann Burns

Trusting in God’s love and with faith in Jesus, we announce our mother Judith Ann (Waters) Burns, age 89, of Mesa, Arizona went home to be with the Lord on August 6, 2025 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Judith (Judy) was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Nelson James Waters, a hardware store owner and school equipment salesman and Lady Betty Waters (Cutbirth), a homemaker and violin teacher.  She spent her early years in Paw Paw, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois where she graduated from Hirsch High School.

She spent her happiest years as a homemaker and was a little bit of a tomboy who loved doing the remodeling projects around the house.  Her sons remember the kitchen cabinets cascading through a variety of colors and no one in the family getting too attached, knowing they might be changed the next day.  Our mom will be remembered for her creativity and joy she had working with crafts and as someone who always made the home a magical place on holidays. She loved to crotchet and made special afghan blankets for her family.  She enjoyed planting flowers and doing her best with the upkeep of her mobile home and was proud to be chosen “the home of the month” multiple times in her park. 

Judy worked in her mid to later years primarily as a hostess in multiple restaurants and a resort in Scottsdale, and retired as a dietary assistant working in assisted living facilities.  She was recognized for her hard work and love she showed the patients during those years.   

Our mom will be remembered mostly for her faith in her savior Jesus Christ, introducing her sons to a personal relationship with Jesus, her unconditional love for her family, her friendships with those that many would consider outcasts, and her unwavering hope for the recovery of those battling addiction.

Our mom will also be remembered for her sacrificial heart and unwavering trust in others.  She gave generously of her time, energy, and resources, always placing the needs of others above her own.  She prayed thousands of prayers (maybe millions) for her sons, her family, and countless others, carrying their burdens to the Lord with steadfast faith.  Judy had a remarkable way of believing the best in people, opening her heart and home to those in need.  Her life was a living picture of the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

She said many times that her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother.

Judy also loved animals and was known as the “cat lady” in her mobile home park where she rescued Honey, Ginger, Sparky, and Muffin –who she called her “four girls”.

Judy is survived by her 3 sons Michael (Janet), Mark (Holly) and Stuart (Trista) and grandchildren David and Ciarra and her great grandchildren Jax and Brielle.  She was predeceased by her brother Stuart Waters and her grandchildren Sage and Esther. 

A graveside service will take place at the City of Mesa Cemetery on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life.