MADISON - Judith “Judy” (Kent) Whipple died peacefully on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in the Palliative Care Unit of Meriter Hospital. She was born on Dec. 2, 1937, in New York City. Her mother would relate looking out of her hospital window and seeing barges of Christmas trees floating down the Hudson River.

The daughter of James K. And Olive (Leonard) Kent, Judy was a 1956 graduate of Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale, N.Y., and received a B.A. from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, in 1960 and an M.A. from the University of Iowa in 1961. She married her best friend, Carlyle “Hank” Whipple, in 1961. Judy taught school in Madison, Wis., and Chappaqua, N.Y., as well as Mount Clemens, Mich., and supervised student teachers for several years for the University of Wisconsin.

Judy was a long time Hospice volunteer and served as a member of its Board of Directors for several years. She was also a board member of the West Madison Coalition of Older Adults. She was a charter member of the Tuesday Morning Book Group at the UW and an active member of First Congregational Church where she served as Sunday School director from 1978 - 1982. She also co-chaired the St. Paul's Community Meals Program for the church.

Some of the family's happiest moments were spent at their Door County cabin, built by Hank's grandfather. Judy is survived by her husband of almost 63 years, Carlyle “Hank” Whipple; children, Sarah Whipple (Fred Swisher), Michael and Laura (Naus) Whipple; son-in-law, Don Lepore; her wonderful grandchildren, Nina and Jake Whipple; sister, Justine (Rein) Uritam; brother, James (Phoebe) Kent; and sister-in-law, Susan Whipple Dieterich complete the immediate family. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Katherine Whipple Lepore.

A celebration of life service will be held at the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 1609 University Ave., Madison, Wis., at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Memorials may be made to First Congregational Church, 1609 University Ave., Madison WI 53726 or The International Crane Foundation, E11376 Shady Lane Rd., Baraboo, WI 53913. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Judith "Judy" Kent Whipple

December 02, 1937 - June 01, 2024

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