Judith Ann (Gass) Lopus, “Hey Jude,” 82, a lifelong resident of Romeo, and seasonal resident of Elk Rapids since 1990, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Orchard Grove Health Campus in Romeo. Judy was born October 5, 1939, in Mount Clemens, the daughter of William and Minnie (Lyons) Gass. On August 5th, 1961, Judy married the love of her life and best friend, her “Sparty,” Dale Wendel Lopus, at the First Congregational Church of Romeo. Judy and Dale were married for 59 years and remained lifelong members of the church. The couple also attended the Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids for the past 32 years.
Judy graduated from Romeo High School in 1957. She received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1961 from Central Michigan University, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. While attending CMU, Judy studied under Alden B. Dow, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright. Dow is known as a major contributor to the architectural movement known as “Michigan Modern.” When Judy and Dale built their forever home in Romeo in 1969, they used the pIans Judy designed in college under the influence of Dow. Today, the residence is officially recognized by the Romeo Historical Society as having historical architectural significance. Judy earned a master’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and her “Sparty” couldn’t have been more proud.
Judy taught school for a total of 30 years. After college, she taught first grade for one year in the Utica Community School District, and then in the Romeo Community School District from 1970-1999. Judy began Romeo’s first “Title One” preschool program and eventually became a kindergarten teacher at both Croswell and Amanda Moore Elementary schools.
Judy’s effervescent teaching style included daily singing and piano playing, and nature walks, but most importantly, a genuine and sincere LOVE FOR EVERY STUDENT. She truly loved her job and running into “her kids” years after having them in the classroom.
Judy’s roots of Scottish descent in the Romeo area date back nearly 200 years. She took great pride in her family ancestry, and she was always proud to be called “a farmer’s daughter.” Judy eventually visited her ancestral homesteads in both Scotland and New York state. She traveled much of Europe and all 50 of the US states with Dale and her children. But her favorite place was in her gardens in Romeo and Elk Rapids. She was known to countless admirers and Camp Talahi campers as “Mother Nature.” Whether she was saving an ancient tree on Van Dyke Road, or transplanting “protected plants,” Judy loved nature and was a lifelong activist for a “Cleaner and Greener” planet.
Judy published her first book, “The History and Hauntings of Romeo Michigan” in January 2022, just before her death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. She will forever be missed by her family, former students, and countless friends.
Judy is survived by her children, Greg Lopus, Geof (Kate) Lopus and Laura (Greg) Gourlay; grandchildren, Harrison and Gabrielle Gourlay (“Go Green”) and Logan and William Lopus.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, and her parents.
Visitation will take place 4-7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13 and 2-7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 14 at the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home
