Judith Eve "Judy" Nettesheim Mawdsley, 4/11/44 – 3/2/24

Judy Mawdsley passed away peacefully at Waukesha Memorial Hospital on March 2, 2024 at the age of 79, with the love of her family lifting her up and surrounding her.

Judy was born in Milwaukee, the only daughter of the late Eva and Paul Nettesheim. She grew up in the family-owned Hedl's Bowl and Recreation, entertaining patrons, and her Nettesheim and Herdegen cousins. She attended Mother of Good Counsel and then Divine Savior High School. In the closing of the bowling alley in the 1960s, the family found their forever home, Judy's favorite place on Lake Denoon in Muskego.

Judy attended Purdue University where she was the Panhellenic President, graduating with a degree in Counseling. She went on to earn a Master's Degree in Counseling and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her career started as a graduate school counselor at the University of Chicago and with a move to Boston, continued at Emmanuel College. It was here in Boston that fate brought her together with her "Mawds", Bob Mawdsley.

Married in 1971, Judy and Bob spent their first year together in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, where she was a counselor at Queens College. They returned to Wisconsin, welcomed their daughter Kate in 1974 and Judy joyfully dedicated herself to motherhood. In 1987, Judy started a twenty-year career in Workforce Development at Waukesha County Technical College. Judy left her position shortly after she became a grandmother – one of her happiest days was the day her first grand-daughter arrived and she earned her most cherished title of "Gram Judy". She poured her everything into her three grandchildren. When Bob retired from Waukesha County Circuit Court, the two of them became snowbirds between Lake Denoon and Naples, Florida.

Judy left an impression on everyone she met and no one who met her will forget her bright eyes and contagious smile. Judy gave life an extra squeeze, whether she was hosting gatherings at the lake, enjoying annual 4th of July trips to the Rustic Haven in Minocqua, administering the Myers Briggs personality test or singing and dancing along as Mawds performed on his guitar. With a passion for music, Judy could sing the lyrics to any song, from golden oldies to early 2000s hits. Judy treasured time with family and friends, and most of all, she loved making people feel special, always ready with an enthusiastic greeting and her warm hugs. Judy saw the bright side in everything and everyone. She was the biggest cheerleader to all. Judy would want you to know that she had the best life and was so lucky. She hopes you dance, enjoy every moment and see the beauty in big and little things.

Her loved ones who went before her include her mother Eva Hedl Nettesheim Todaro, father Paul Nettesheim, stepdad Papa Joe Todaro, mother-in-law Florence Kenavan Mawdsley, father-in-law Jack Mawdsley and sister-in-law Susan Mawdsley.

She will forever be lovingly remembered by her husband and soulmate Bob, her daughter Kate, her son-in-law Aaron Lindner and her beloved grandchildren, Kenavan, Julianne and Vaughn, as well as her sister-in-law Joan Tortora and husband Nick, nephew Steven Tortora, and niece Brianna Sommer and husband Stephen. Her large extended family and countless dear friends will miss Judy and their wonderful times together.

Judy courageously and gracefully battled Type 1 diabetes for 63 years of her life which led to vascular dementia over the last decade. Throughout these trials, her zest for life and love of Mawds never wavered. The family would like to express deep gratitude and immense appreciation to Judy's caregivers in Muskego and Naples and the staff at Renaissance Memory Care of New Berlin.

Judy loved a good celebration so we will be holding her Celebration of Life on her 80th Birthday, April 11, 2024. A visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00am that Thursday at St. Leonard Catholic Church, Muskego, Wisconsin, followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the WCTC Foundation to support the newly established Judy Mawdsley Memorial Scholarship.