SWEET JUDY HATFIELD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR NURSING | Rebecca McAllister, William Whitmer
Contacts: Rebecca McAllister, William Whitmer
“Sweet Judy” Judith Ann Walker was born January 31st, 1941, in Hastings, Nebraska, the second daughter of Max Claude Walker, and Mildred Louella Johnson. She grew up with her sisters Mary and Claudia in Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended Prescott Elementary and graduated from Lincoln High School. Soon after starting at the University of Nebraska, she married Dougal McAllister Whitmer and they travelled to California and New Jersey before making Rockford, Illinois their home. Judy often said she grew up with the only aspiration to be a mother. She had three children: Gregory Dougal, Rebecca Ann, and William McAllister. She especially enjoyed telling the stories of her children’s births: 10# 11oz, 9#3oz and 10#4oz, and their very large heads. Judy encouraged reading, outdoor play, and crafts. Her natural talents in early childhood development were skills put to use as a teaching aide at Latham Park/Rockford Alternative Elementary School where her children attended. They took in two foster boys, Rodney and Bob for short but impactful periods. When divorced in 1976, she began her studies at Rock Valley College in their nursing program. She relied on family, friends, and neighbors to help her watch her children. She struggled a great deal to get through school while working to pay for the tuition. Her grades were average, but her compassion was A+.
Judy graduated from RVC in 1979 and began a 34-year career in nursing. Beginning in the inpatient setting, and nursing homes. She went on to become a director of nursing at Milestone, PA Peterson Home, and Home Health. Her favorite nursing job of all was teaching the certified nursing assistant program, often touched by the transformation of young adults into their first step in health care. She remarried in 1982 to Stanley Wayne Hatfield, and gained a stepdaughter Nichole. During those decades she began using the moniker “Sweet Judy” in emails and license plates. She finished her bachelor’s degree from College of Saint Francis, Joliet, Illinois in May 1990. There were financial hardships and when the recession forced them into bankruptcy, Judy went back to work as a wound care nurse, retiring at the age of 72. Her last years of retirement were spent in the warm sunshine in Sun City West, Arizona. Making new friends and maintaining old ones, she enjoyed the Southwest climate and culture. She died peacefully in hospice care at home May 20th, 2024. Per her own arrangements, her body was donated science to help future health care workers learn.
Judy is preceded in death by her mother and father, her younger sister Claudia, her nephew Kevin, her in-laws Betty and Lee Hatfield and sister-in-law Terry Johnson. She leaves behind her sister Mary (Fran Wanek), nephews Andy and Jeff and great nieces and nephew, her nieces Kristi and Kelly, great nieces and nephew, her three unique and loved children; Greg Whitmer, Rebecca McAllister (Jim Horning), Bill Whitmer (Mary Anne Meyering), her husband Stan Hatfield, stepdaughter Nichole (Steve Astre) and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had many lifelong friends. She was indefatigably positive. Most days, “I’m perfect.” Even while dying when asked how she was feeling, she would say, “Just Peachy.”
A memorial scholarship has been set up in her name where she attended nursing school: Rock Valley College. The hope in creating this endowed scholarship for future nurses and parents like herself. By offering a helping hand to nursing students-in-need making that first step toward a vocation of compassion will bring positive change for generations to come.