Judith “Judy” (Lawson) Vehse

OBITUARY

Judith “Judy” (Lawson) Vehse, 83, of Oxnard, CA, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025. Born in Evanston, IL, she was the daughter of Bernice Johnson Lawson Meyers and Fred W. Lawson. She shared 32 years of marriage to Robert Chase Vehse.

Judy was a 1959 graduate of Evanston Township High School and joined First United Methodist Church. Following graduation, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. While at UW-Madison, she was a member of the sorority Alpha Phi. Judy worked as a nurse at both the University of Tennessee Medical Center and Reading Hospital in Wyomissing, Pa. After several decades out of the workforce, Judy recognized a need for qualified nurses in the Reading area and renewed her license to work at vaccination clinics.

While living in Wyomissing, PA, Judy enthusiastically volunteered for multiple committees, often rising to become the Chairman or President of the organization. She served as President of the Junior League of Wyomissing, President of the Wyomissing Public Library Board, and President of the Garden Club of Reading. Judy was a loyal member of the Lutheran Church of the Atonement and enjoyed singing in the choir.

The most beautiful legacy that Judy left to Wyomissing was the installation of the Perennial Garden on the grounds of the Reading Public Museum, where she volunteered as a docent. 42 years ago, she and the few members of the Garden Club of Reading spent many hours on their knees pulling weeds or spreading compost or mulch, and the Perennial Garden has blossomed into a renowned location for photographed events, such as weddings.

Judy was widely recognized as an exceptional member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC). Judy was State President of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and served on the National Board of the NGC for many decades. She enjoyed traveling extensively with her close friends to workshops, conventions, and tours. Judy is remembered as being an outstanding speaker and a remarkable judge of flower shows. She was a Master Judge and invited to judge shows as far away as Peru and the Cayman Islands.

Judy’s joy was being near her children, grandchildren, and their pets. She is remembered for enjoying playing games, her riveting storytelling, and her infectious laugh.

After sharing a home with her daughter Debbie for two years, she moved to Ventura County in California, to be near her son, Daniel. She defined her West Coast legacy decorating floats for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, strolling through Huntington Gardens, and attending exhibitions at the Getty / Getty Villa Museums and Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

In addition to traveling throughout the local wine regions, Judy loved card games and was a whiz at bridge. She made some very close friends, surprised by the small world connections of living in the same towns or enjoying the same pastimes as her new neighbors. She will be missed.

She is survived by her children: Daniel Remington Vehse, husband of Lauren, of Ventura, CA, and Deborah Vehse Lund, wife of Michael of Natick, MA.

Also surviving are her three grandchildren, Ian, Alexander, and Chloe.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025, at Clearwater at Riverpark, Oxnard, CA. Her burial will be a private ceremony with just family in Natick, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association – https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/memorial-gift.