Judith Ann "Judy" Yelle

Judith Ann - Age 72, of Lake Fenton, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024.  Funeral services will be held 12 noon, Friday, January 12, 2024, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton.   Visitation will be held 3-8 PM Thursday, January 11; and 11 AM until the time of service Friday, January 12. Interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, to be announced at a later date.   

Judy was born in Ohio to Clemens and Theresa Faye Mattord and lived a full life in Michigan until her passing.  She graduated from Fenton High School, Class of 1969, with classmates who became life-long friends that will miss her dearly. In 1970, she married Ronald James Haggerty and was an amazing mother to her four children: Jeffrey (Valerie) Haggerty of Brighton, Kelly (Bradley) Waterman of Lansing, Nicole (Thomas) Heslip of New Lothrop, and Joseph (Brittany) Haggerty of Fenton.   

In 1992, Judy opened her home to exchange student, Astrid Kaspar of Berlin, Germany, who has since been a bonus daughter to her.  Soon after, in 1995, she married Albert Yelle where she embraced the role of wife, casino and travel partner, and stepmother to David (Ann) Yelle and Duane Yelle, both of Pennsylvania.   

Judy’s true calling was the title of Grandmother, to which she set an impossibly high bar. Her pride and praise for her fifteen Grandchildren fell on many ears. She attended countless sporting and school events and accomplishments and was not only their beloved Grandma, but she was also their biggest fan. Her presence was a blessing, and her absence will be felt greatly by Kathryn, Lillian, Caleb, Thomas, Edward, Ryan, Patrick, Elizabeth, Kevin, Paige, Samuel, Declan, Benjamin, Charleston, and Oliver.  

Along the way Judy embraced everyone that entered her home and life, creating bridges between all who were important to her.   If you walked through the doors of her home, you were family. Taking over after the passing of her mother, Judy was the family Matriarch where the center of most holidays revolved around her generosity and home. The loss of Judy will leave a hole in the hearts of her sisters: June (James) Gatewood of Delaware, Joyce (Randy) Malzahn of Bancroft, Janet Petts of Fenton, and Jayne (Ken) Schultz of Fenton, and all her numerous nieces and nephews that called her aunt.  

Among her many joys in life, she spent many waking moments socializing and making new family and friends as a waitress at the family restaurant, Giles, and her own restaurant later in life. Judy loved dinner and concerts with her best friends, and a trip to Las Vegas was never far from her mind.  She warmed handfuls of heads and feet with her crochet hats and slippers and was often seen with a cribbage board in front of her. She gravitated to the sun and happily busied her hands around her pool, enjoying the laughter of family as she tended to the yard and flowers.       

Judy was greeted in heaven by her parents, her siblings John, Joseph, James, Jeff, Joann, her husband Albert, and stepson Duane.  

In her last selfless act, Judy requested donations to charity in lieu of receiving flowers. The Alport Syndrome Foundation (www.alportsyndrome.org) and The Sturge-Weber Foundation (www.sturge-weber.org) were both close to her heart.