Mary Belle Judd 's Obituary
Mary Belle (Kelley) Judd of Dallas, Texas, passed away one week after her 100th birthday, on May 14, 2020. She was the most loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and will be dearly missed by her family. Mary Belle was born on May 7, 1920, to Nellie and Orren Kelley in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Along with her sisters, Nellie and Margaret, she grew up with the Garden of the Gods as her backyard playground.
Mrs. Judd was a professional violinist who played for many years with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She began her music career at an early age, playing with her sisters in a trio informally dubbed “The Kelley Trio,” and in a Works Progress Administration orchestra (established as part
of the New Deal) at the age of 18. She attended Colorado College to pursue a degree in music, studying under James Sykes. While attending Colorado College, Mary Belle met DeForrest Judd, a handsome young artist who would soon become her husband. Following World War II, the young
couple and their daughter, Margaret, moved to Dallas. Mary Belle joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and her husband “Judd” joined the faculties of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts and Southern Methodist University. Their family continued to grow with the additions of their son, DeForrest, Jr., and youngest child, Susan. Mary Belle was a woman ahead of her time: while juggling her responsibilities as the working mother of three young children, she attended Texas Women’s University in Denton to become a Teacher of the Deaf. After completing her studies at TWU, Mary Belle left the DSO to teach at Pilot School for the Deaf for several years. She later said she “loved the work --- probably as much as playing (violin).” Eventually, Mary Belle returned to the DSO, playing violin until the time of her retirement in the 1980s. Mary Belle loved her time with the DSO and treasured her Symphony “family” of friends and colleagues. One of
Mary Belle’s proudest accomplishments was her successful campaign for equal employment rights for disabled City of Dallas employees in the early 1970s. Mary Belle engaged in a letter writing and press campaign which successfully reversed the City of Dallas’s policy of denying benefits (including paid sick leave, permanent employee status, and retirement benefits) to City employees with physical disabilities.
Following her retirement, Mary Belle spent time traveling the world with her husband. Her family has fond memories of the slide shows that would follow each of their trips, where everyone would gather in their living room to view pictures from their travels to locations such as Portugal, the Amazon, Machu Picchu, and Japan. Her family cherishes the time that they were able to spend with her in her later years. She was a supportive and loving mother and grandmother, always doing whatever she could for each member of her family. She will be missed for her very generous heart and for the wonderful stories she told.
Mary Belle was preceded in death by her cherished husband of 51 years, “Judd,” her beloved son, DeForrest, Jr., and Bob Funk, her long-time companion and fiancé. She is survived by daughters Margaret Coggins-Peckham (John) and Susan Judd, seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and her dog, Jack. Her memory is a blessing to all who knew her. A private family service is planned, with arrangements made by Restland Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra - Young Strings Program in her memory.
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