“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Judie was known by those who loved her as an avid walker, routinely climbing up and down the steps of the Englewood Reserve for exercise, walking door to door as a faithful DP&L employee (complete with dog treats in her pockets for the neighborhood canines), daily circling her Ohio block with her endless cycle of grateful rescue dogs, and traversing a plethora of gorgeous hiking trails in numerous states with her four daughters.

Thursday, January 4th, 2022 at 8:30 p.m., Judie walked her final steps into the arms of Jesus with her family encircling her bedside in her home of 26 years. She was only five days shy of turning 62.

Dennis, her husband of almost 44 years, noted on the evening of her journey home that the Lord guided her steps throughout her life, as stated in her favorite Bible passage (Proverbs 16:9).

Judie Jae Heckford was born January 9, 1960 in San Jose, California to John and Beverly Heckford. Her daughters remember her stories of her walks to and from school with her five siblings (Josie, John, Joe, Joni, and Jerry) on mountain roads, and despite the bone-chilling cries of the mountain lions, she would continue marching forward. When she was sixteen her family left the west coast and journeyed to Lebanon, VA. Her walks up and down the dirt road in front of their house included memorable activities such as picking blackberries with her siblings and trudging back up the hill in snow after sledding down.

Judie’s steps eventually led her to Charleston, South Carolina where her free-spirited sister Josie introduced her to the dark and handsome Naval wiz, Dennis Gruber, providentially the love of her life. Before departing Charleston for their next adventure together, Dennis and Judie had birthed four beautiful daughters (who were known to be frequently dressed in matching outfits and arranged in stairstep order).

Dennis, Judie, and their feisty bevy of beauties journeyed together through five states, countless schools, and 13 different homes. Each home, each town, each school proved to be intentional decisions by the Lord. Several of those locations provided churches and neighbors who were instrumental in milestone spiritual markers in their walks with Jesus Christ.

Dennis and Judie’s course through life established a rich heritage here on earth: four daughters (Nichole, Rachelle, Michelle, and Jeanette), nine grandchildren (Jessica, Ashley, Jonah, Robert, Connor, Hudson, Carey, Amy, and Liev), and a great granddaughter (Rebecca). Each one has touching memories of their personal journeys with Judie, lovingly known as “Mama” to all of them. Through her walk with Christ, Judie also established a rich heritage in Heaven, one that “can never perish, spoil, or fade.” (I Peter 1:4)

Judie’s last miles of her life passage left her bravely facing Alzheimer’s, a disease that seemingly robbed her of the ability to physically walk in her favorite nature escape, or around the block, or on hiking trails. However, there is one thing Alzheimer’s cannot take away, and that is love. Love is not a memory – it is a feeling and choice that resides in our hearts and souls. Judie loved us all…loyally, sweetly, and deeply. We remember her walk through life as it was done in love and in coordinated step with the will of her God.

We take comfort today knowing that Judie/Mama is walking step by step with her Lord beside her, down streets of gold and through fields of flowers as she delights in the artful clouds around her and in the glory of the One next to her.

She is home…and she knows it.

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