Judith May Bishop

December 28, 1940 - December 17, 2019

Judy Bishop, 78, of Oskaloosa, passed away suddenly, Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. Judith May Bishop was born on December 28, 1940, in Kearney, New Jersey, to George Jabez Simpson and May Elizabeth Simpson. She graduated from Ames High School in 1959. She attended Iowa State University for three years, and graduated from William Penn College in 1980, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and P.E. While at Penn, she played on the Women’s Tennis Team. She received her Masters of Music Education from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. On August 25, 1962, she married Robert Wayne Bishop of Ames, Iowa. They raised a daughter, Krys, and a son, Dan. She taught elementary music for 20 years for the Oskaloosa Community School District. Judy loved to play her violin and was a long-time member of the Central College Orchestra and the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra, and played every Sunday at her church. When she was 13, she had the honor of playing her violin at Carnegie Hall. She was an avid reader and belonged to three book clubs. Bridge was a favorite game, and she played regularly in three bridge clubs. Yarn arts were another passion, and Judy spent many hours lovingly spinning wool and knitting gifts for her friends and family. She made countless pairs of Nordic snowflake mittens. She was involved in three spinning and knitting groups. P.E.O. is an organization that was near and dear to her heart, and Judy was a member of Chapter N.N. for over 50 years. Judy served on the Oskaloosa Library Board, Foster Care Review Board, and many committees and boards at the St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ in Oskaloosa, where she was a member for 55 years. Planting, caring for, and sharing her flowers with friends was a favorite pastime. She enjoyed walking the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park with her family and snowshoeing in the winter. She had a great sense of adventure and loved traveling with friends and family. Her brother, Allan, taught her to fly fish, and fishing in Montana with him brought her great joy. She also had a great sense of humor and frequently told funny stories about herself and her family. Judy was preceded in death by her father, George, and mother, May. She is survived by her husband, Bob, their daughter Krys (Jim) Plate of Denmark, IA, their son, Dan (Cathy) Bishop of Mitchellville, IA; grandchildren: Evelynne (Peyton) Thomas of Norwalk, IA, Kayley Plate of Kansas City, MO, Jameson Plate, Karley Plate, and Kaydey Plate; and one great-grandson, Calvin Thomas. She is also survived by one brother, Dr. Allan (Ginny) Simpson of Nellys Ford, Virginia; a brother-in-law, Bill (Sandi) Bishop of Boone, IA; two cousins; and nieces and nephews. Memorial Services for Judy will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Carol Lammatteo officiating. The family will greet visitors from 9:30 a.m. to service time Saturday morning. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ in Oskaloosa or Chapter N.N., P.E.O. Langkamp Funeral Chapel and Crematory are handling the arrangements.