Judith Ann Baker Blanks (“Judy”), 90, born October 23, 1935, was peacefully called home on December 17, 2025, of natural causes.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Ohio, Judy carried with her a charming smile, a love of dance, and dreams of the stage. With courage and curiosity, she left those humble streets for the bright lights of New York City, beginning a life defined by independence and reinvention.

She married her first husband, Ron, and together they welcomed two children, Wes (1963) and Tori (1966). Determined to build both a family and a future, Judy put herself through college while raising her children and working two jobs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University and later a Master of Education from Michigan State University — achievements that reflected both her love of learning and her extraordinary perseverance.

She later married Bob and began her “second season” in Naperville, where she rooted deeply and flourished within the community. Judy served as an adjunct professor of English as a Second Language before founding TKL Design Group, where she expressed her creativity as a kitchen and bath designer. Her artistic eye and thoughtful care transformed houses into homes.

An avid runner — completing the Chicago Marathon at age 64 — Judy embodied resilience and vitality. She was an active Chamber member and a devoted parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where she served in numerous ministries, perhaps most joyfully at the Pennywise Resale Shop on the church campus.

Judy is survived by her son Wes (Jennifer), her daughter Tori, and her beloved grandchildren: Alex, Andrew, Zachary, and Matthew.

She was always investing in others. She could often be found around town with her running partners, reading companions, and small-business friends, offering a warm greeting and sharing a personal story with anyone who smiled back. She had that rare gift for making you feel like the most important person in the room and for bringing light into life’s hardest moments.

Judy’s faith was simple and steadfast. “I know God loves me.” Upbeat, gritty, and unshaken by life’s lemons, she was one of those extraordinary souls whose presence you never quite got enough of. Her joy, generosity, and indomitable spirit will continue to echo in the lives she touched.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on March 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the St. John’s Episcopal Church, 750 Aurora Ave, Naperville, IL 60540. The family will receive visitors starting at 12:00 noon, with the service commencing at 1:00 p.m.

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