Judy Kay Shimonek, 74, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born on May 5, 1950, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Judy spent her entire life in the community she loved. She married John Shimonek, her devoted husband of 47 years.
Judy dedicated 37 years to teaching second grade at Malcolm Public Schools. She had a deep passion for education and took immense joy in nurturing young minds. Her students held a special place in her heart, and she was remembered fondly by many for her kindness and dedication.
Outside of teaching, Judy found happiness in the simple joys of life. She was an avid reader who could often be found with a book in hand. She loved to travel and explore new places but also treasured quiet moments at home watching Hallmark movies or spending time with her beloved cats. Above all else, she adored her family and especially cherished time spent with her three granddaughters—Olivia, Raina, and Pippa—who brought endless joy to her life.
Judy is survived by her loving husband John; daughters Jessi and Jenna; granddaughters Olivia, Raina, and Pippa; her mother Barb; and four siblings.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Judy’s warmth and love touched the lives of so many. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.
She was such a wonderful teacher, I’m so sorry for your loss. The family is in our prayers!
Condolences and prayers for the family as you learn to live without Judy. She was a sweetheart when I knew her in high school and that did not change according to the obituary.
Judy will be missed at our high school monthly lunches. She was always making us laugh by retelling stories of her most recent travel adventure. She was loved.
I knew Judy from when we were tots at Randolph Elementary School and remained friends all these decades. In our later years we found ourselves on opposite sides of the political aisle. I always enjoyed our “banter” and through it all we respected each other and remained friends.
TRULY…A WONDERFUL LADY!!
John and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Bless you all,
Joann Tumbleson
So sorry to hear this , John. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
John and family,
So sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barb, John, Jessi, Jenna, and family, we are so deeply sorry for your loss. I can’t begin to tell you how much your daughter, wife, mom, grandma, sister, and all the other amazing hats Judy wore, meant to our family, but please know it was so very much…for one of us, I would say even life changing as it helped to define her ultimate goal in life, to become an elementary teacher, like one of her very favorites…Mrs. Shimonek. And as Gracie’s parents we knew how very special Judy was when Gracie made it through that first spring storm at school in 2nd grade, at the side of her very comforting teacher, and we didn’t get a call with her wanting to come home with an upset stomach. Judy had a knack for explaining things to her to help the anxiety go away. Many years later after she retired, I would see her out shopping and she would stop and talk to me to see how Gracie was doing in college, or message me on Facebook, always remembering her students (and families). She was an amazing woman, and my family and I were so very blessed to know her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
My heart goes out to all of Judy’s family. Judy was such a joy and I will miss our exchanges back and forth on Facebook. Rest in peace dear Judy.💔
I am so very sorry, John, you and your family will be in my prayers.
We are so very sorry, John, you and your family will be in our prayers. I have known Judy since Kindergarten. Later in our lives we ended up as next door neighbors watching your girls and our kids grow up together. We are sorry we will not be able to attend her services in person.
Paul and Aldine Harmon