Judith L. Nilles (nee Lander) passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025. She was renowned for honoring the people in her life by mailing them relevant newspaper articles. She died as she likely wished, peacefully, at home in Elmhurst, IL.
The number of lives she touched and her impact on them in her 89 years of life is immeasurable. A wife and mother, Judy was married to Dr. John J. Nilles for 38 years and committed her life’s work to the raising of five children. A grandmother, she was devoted to her seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. An aunt, she was a favorite of many nieces and nephews, as well as a godmother many times over.
A true New Englander, Judy was born on October 17, 1935, in Mt. Vernon, NY, raised in Framingham, MA, and often celebrated colorful facets of her Massachusetts upbringing, delighting in sharing those with midwesterners. A loyal friend, she had an innate ability at maintaining cherished, lifelong relationships while forging new ones.
An adviser, she was insightful and optimistic, welcoming every chance to problem solve and share shrewd advice. “Now you know!” was known far and wide as her signature closing comment. A linguist, she was a true believer that “words matter” and championed good grammar at every turn.
An educator, she attended the College of William and Mary, graduated with a teaching degree from Boston University (1957), and taught elementary education for several years in Connecticut and on an Army base in Germany, where she met her husband, John.
A birder, she spread her passion for identifying and observing the habits of birds to others around her during the 43 years she lived on Forest Avenue in Elmhurst. This hobby served her well at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, where she was a volunteer and member for decades.
An avid moviegoer, she jumped at the chance to catch a film, preferably at the York Theater in Elmhurst. A skillful cook, she dazzled family and friends with gourmet dishes. A host, she threw epic parties every year at Christmas and on many other occasions for decades.
A reader, she had a good book or The Chicago Tribune at her side at all times. A committed traveler, she visited five continents. A school nurse, she faithfully cared for the students of Edison Elementary School in Elmhurst for 16 years, also assisting in multiple front-office roles.
Judy is survived by children Matthew (Phyllis) Nilles, Andrew (Linda) Nilles, Joseph Nilles and Ann (Brian) Miller, grandchildren Samuel and Charles Nilles; Olivia, Macey and Ruby Miller; and Kelsey Bannon, and great-granddaughter Keegan Rose. She was preceded in death by her son, Peter Nilles, and grandson, Keegan Bannon.
Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, March 1, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst. Friends and family are also invited to be received by the family at an Open House reception at the Wilder Mansion, Elmhurst during a reception from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m.. Arrangements handled by Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst. 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com