Judith Greene

Judith (Judy) Greene passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025 at Oakwood Village East, Madison, WI. Judy was born on October 5, 1940 to Vincent Eugene and Margaret Rose (Turner) Steele in Valparaiso, Indiana. Judy is survived by two siblings, Peggy Ryan and Randy Steele, her three children, Kate and her husband John Douglas, Doug, Bill and his wife Stacy, and her favorite and forever loved grandson, Graham McDonald.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, John J. Greene, her parents, and her brother, Tommy Steele.

Judy is a graduate of Valparaiso High School and Indiana University where she was active in a number of social activities to include Job’s Daughters and sorority life. While growing up in Valparaiso, Judy earned her way through college by working on the family-owned carnival, Steele’s Amusements.

In 1962, Judy married Jim McDonald and moved to Wichita, KS where she worked with special needs children as a speech therapist before giving birth to her first child, Kate. Judy and her growing family then moved to Oak Lawn, IL in 1966, where her two sons, Doug and Bill were born. Thereafter, she and her family moved to Cincinnati for three years before moving to Burlington, WI in 1974. In Burlington, Judy devoted much of her time and energy to supporting her three children in their respective endeavors to include sports, academic pursuits, and other various extra curricular activities. Later, she served as a substitute teacher with the Burlington Area School District and also ran as a candidate for the local school board.

During her life, Judy also lived in Milwaukee, WI, Madison, IN, and Sun Prairie, WI. In every place she lived, Judy established lifelong friendships, exercised her creativity in the multi-media arts, and/or learned something new - like learning to play the dulcimer in her 70’s!

In retirement, Judy loved to travel throughout the United States and overseas. Judy was especially fascinated with Japan where she drew a great deal of inspiration for her later art work and culinary interests.

For the past 8 years, Judy has lived in Sun Prairie, WI. She was active with the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church and the Angell Park Senior Living Community where, among other things, she established the “Creative Batteries” group to bring people together to learn various crafts and techniques.

Even after a severe stroke in July 2024, Judy continued to find purpose and find ways to connect with others while a resident of Oakwood Village - even assuming the duties and responsibilities of President of the Oakwood Village HRC Residents Committee. Judy retained her quick wit, optimism, curiosity, generosity, and creativity to the very end. She will be greatly missed by all whose paths she crossed.

The family would like to extend a big thank you to the amazing staff at Oakwood Village East for their genuine care and concern shown for her every single day. Judy will be remembered as a wonderful mother, an amazing cook, a creative and talented artist, a life long learner, a woman of faith, and one who embraced the simple pleasure of observing the world around her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on March 6, 2026 at Cress Funeral Home, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590. Immediately following, all are invited to the adjacent Community Room to share food, memories, and fellowship. Prior to the Celebration of Life, a visitation will be held from 10AM - 11AM.

The family requests that any donations be made to The River Food Pantry in Madison, WI or Sunshine Place in Sun Prairie, WI. Or, donate your time and talents to something you really care about.