Profile photo of Judy Lynn Mapes

Judy Lynn Mapes

June 28th, 1952 • September 11th, 2025
Mansfield, Texas
Judy Lynn Mapes

Obituary

Judy Lynn Mapes, aged 73, passed away in the early morning hours on September 11, 2025, with her daughter by her side after months of decline from Alzheimer's Disease. Judy was born on June 28, 1952, in Santa Monica, California. She was the middle sister of three girls, Janice, Judy, and Susan. Judy had an adventurous spirit. She liked to be outside and loved to play softball. She wasn't really a fan of school, but she did graduate from San Fernando High School in San Fernando, California. Judy became a waitress where she met her long-time love, Alan, whom she was married to in 1975 for over 20 years and became a stepmom to Alan's son Steve. Judy was a great dancer and loved to go out dancing, listen to music, and have a good time. Judy moved to Edgewood, New Mexico with Alan in 1982. Judy created so many memories with her nieces Tammy, Jennifer, and Jacquie out at their property the few years they were there. Judy and Alan would take the girls along with Alan's son Steve and his niece Amanda, camping and panning for gold in the Merced River in California. When the time was right, Alan and Judy adopted their daughter, Tara in 1989. As a mother, Judy was caring, loving, always supportive, silly, and fun. Judy was a kid at heart and not afraid to jump right in with whatever Tara and her friends were doing or playing. Judy was always positive, laughing, dancing, and being silly. She always knew how to have a good time. Judy was the mom that everyone wanted to be around because she let the kids be kids and have fun. Judy was always accepting, caring, and kind to anyone who came to her house. Judy's hobby of choice during the 90s and 2000s was golf. She not only played golf for fun, but she competed in several golf tournaments in Kerrville and has trophies and plaques from her wins. Judy gained a son in law in 2016 when her daughter, Tara married Noah Gibson. Judy was happy to gain another family member and thrilled that Noah liked to play golf as that was something they could enjoy together. Judy was so excited to become a grandmother in March 2019 when her first granddaughter, Adallyn was born. Judy moved to Mansfield, Texas in 2021 to be closer to her daughter, son in law, and granddaughter. Judy's second granddaughter, Haisley was born in January 2023. Judy absolutely adored her granddaughters and loved being their Mimi. In her free time, Judy spent time with her friends and family. She loved animals and would always go visit friends with cats or dogs that she loved as her own. She loved watching the Cowboys play during football season or you could always find her watching Harry Potter or Star Trek on TV. Judy liked country music, but her favorite music was oldies but goodies as she loved listening to the Classics she knew from the 60s and 70s. This was the music she listened to in her last days here with us. Judy will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, and she will be remembered for her amazing laugh and her caring and kind nature she showed to everyone around her.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents Stella Janice Hayden and Lyle Leroy Dean and her younger sister Susan Dean. Judy is survived by her older sister, Janice Gross, her aunt Linda Reynolds, her daughter Tara Gibson, her two granddaughters Adallyn and Haisley Gibson, and her three nieces Tammy Lester, Jennifer Grande, and Jacquie Penny.

A Celebration of Life Service for Judy will be held at Westlake Village Inn and Spa in Westlake Village, California on February 14th, 2026. We welcome all friends and family who knew Judy, to come and share happy memories, good food, music, and of course dancing. 

Timeline

1952
June 28th
Judy was born
Judy was born in Santa Monica, California.
1970
Judy graduated from San Fernando High School
1973
Judy met Alan Mapes
Judy was waitressing at a restaurant where Alan Mapes frequented as a police officer where the two of them met and fell in love. 
1975
Judy married Alan Mapes
1982
Judy and Alan moved to Edgewood, New Mexico
Judy and Alan had 5 acres and owned several horses, goats, and chickens on this property.
1984
Judy and Alan moved to Kerrville, Texas
1989
February 2nd
Judy's daughter Tara was born
Judy and Alan adopted Tara from Albuquerque, New Mexico and brought her back to Kerrville, Texas. 
2016
June 16th
Judy's daughter Tara was married
Tara married Noah Gibson
2019
March 13th
Judy's first granddaughter, Adallyn was born
Judy was in the hospital room with Tara and Noah and was able to witness the birth of Adallyn Gibson. 
Mansfield, Texas
2020
May
Judy moved to Mansfield, Texas
Judy moved in with Tara and Noah to get help while she was recovering from knee surgery and to be closer to family. 
2020
December
Judy diagnosed with Alzheimer's
Judy was diagnosed at this time but had been experiencing symptoms for several years prior to this. 
2021
January
Judy moved into Mariposa Apartments for 55 and up
Judy moved out of Tara and Noah's house and into her own apartment at Mariposa Apartments in Burleson, Texas which was a 55 and up community. She loved to go to Bingo and to the community dog park to visit with other residents and her friends.
2024
November
Judy moved to The Pavillion at Creekwood in Mansfield, Texas
At this point, Judy was no longer able to take good care of herself and continued to have falls within her apartment and several trips to the hospital. Judy agreed that she needed more assistance and moved to The Pavillion at Creekwood Nursing Facility in Mansfield, Texas, which was 5 minutes away from Tara and Noah's house. At this point, she was still walking around using a walker and she was the life of the nursing home and brought so much joy to everyone there. 
2025
April 4th
Mobility and Progressive Cognitive Decline
This lasted about 3 months and then she started to lose the ability to walk, and her mobility declined fairly quickly. By April 2025, Judy was no longer eating on her own and she was wheelchair bound. She was having increased agitation and yelling. There were lots of adjustments on medications, but nothing seemed to help. 
2025
July 15th
Judy was placed on hospice care with Heart-to-Heart Hospice
At this point we had exhausted all options and tried several medication changes to see if anything would help, but the agitation and confusion was continuing to get worse. She had no mobility and was being fed her meals. She continued yelling and calling out on a regular basis. Getting hospice involved would allow for increased pain and anxiety medications to help keep her comfortable and would be more eyes on her throughout the week to make sure everything was being done to make her comfortable. 
2025
August 27th
Hospice transferred Judy from The Pavillion at Creekwood to Heart-to-Heart Hospice House
Judy was having symptoms of calling out for her Mom and yelling out constantly which had become very disruptive to other residents and visitors. The hospice team and staff at Pavillion wanted to be able to make her more comfortable as we believed the calling out was due to pain in addition to her progressive decline from Alzheimer's Disease. She was eligible to go to Heart to Heart's inpatient hospice house to manage her symptoms. Once she was transferred, she started to have difficulty swallowing food and was refusing water as well, which is when she was placed on end-of-life care. Judy was finally receiving IV pain medications to keep her comfortable and her calling out was much improved. The nurses here were amazing and we realized we were happy she was here for her last days. 
2025
September 11th
Judy passed away
Judy passed away comfortably at 1:23 AM at Heart-to-Heart Hospice House with Tara by her side as she took her last breath. 
Heart to Heart Hospice House in Fort Worth, Texas

Gallery

Memory wall

Post your condolences or share your Memories.


September 24, 2025
Judy..
Iam going to miss hearing your voice an our talks over the phone♡
You we're such a
loving, interesting
an fun sister. We loved each other so much! I think about you everyday.
I Love you're big sister.!!
Hugs Janice until we meet again!
Janice Marie Gross
September 20, 2025
My mom was always the person that I could call at any time and talk to about anything. She truly listened to me and understood me. During my childhood, she was always the "cool" mom and was always there for not only me but all of my friends. She was like a second mom to several of my friends. She was caring and kind and would listen to each and every one of us because she truly was such a caring person. She was also so fun and silly. She allowed us to be kids and to explore the world with a child's curiosity. She was always right there with us because she was a kid at heart. She would go on bike rides with us around the neighborhood. She would take me and all of my friends to Six Flags Fiesta Texas by herself and would ride all the rides with us. She was so young at heart and would always incorporate fun into every situation. She played board games with all of us and was always the mediator when we would all start arguing over rules or if someone was not playing the correct way. She created and was a part of so many happy and positive childhood memories for not only myself but so many of my friends. I am going to miss calling her every day after work to check in on her and to just chat about life. She was my one person I shared everything with and was always so supportive of me. I miss you so much Mom. I will always treasure our memories and carry on your beautiful memory with our family. I love you Mom.


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Tara Gibson

Family tree

Victoria Fredel Hayden
William Hayden
Mary Sue Dean
Roy Leroy Dean
Stella Janice Hayden
Lyle Leroy Dean
Alan Lee Mapes
Susan Vicki Dean
Janice Marie Gross
Tara Allyn Gibson
Children
Adallyn Gibson
Haisley Gibson
‹
›
Susan Vicki Dean
Janice Marie Gross
‹
›
Alan Lee Mapes
‹
›
Tara Allyn Gibson
Adallyn Gibson
Haisley Gibson
Judy Mapes

Favorites


What was Judy's favorite Drink?
Coke
What was Judy's favorite Music / Song?
Oldies but goodies and Country music
What was Judy's favorite Sports Team?
Dallas Cowboys
What was Judy's favorite Game to play?
Scrabble and the card game Rummy
What was Judy's favorite Book?
Any James Patterson book - She loved his books
What was Judy's favorite Restaurant?
Mamacitas in Kerrville
What was Judy's favorite TV show?
Blue Bloods, Chicago P.D., I Love Lucy, Star Trek, Johnny Carson Show, Andy Griffith Show
Fun fact about Judy:
Judy could tie the stem of a cherry with her tongue. 
What was Judy's favorite Sport?
Golf

Service


Please join us to celebrate the life of Judy Lynn Mapes. 
We will share our memories, stories, and experiences with Judy that we will never forget. We will remember the times we had with Judy while sharing good food, music, and of course dancing. We look forward to spending this time with friends and family as a last tribute to Judy's wonderful life. 
Celebration of life for judy mapes
Location
Westlake Village Inn and Spa

Date/time
February 14, 2026
Memorial Tribute Book (for anyone who would like to share a memory)
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