Judy Anne Van Horn

Judy Anne (Bell) Van Horn, 61of Zanesville, passed into the loving arms of our Lord and Father.

Her parents Harry E. Bell Sr. and Gertrude J. (Trudy) Bell preceded her in death along with an infant brother David M. Bell. In addition to her biological family, she is preceded in death by the "daughter of her heart" Rebecca Wardle, who taught her the meaning of living in the brief two years they knew each other.

Judy graduated from Maysville High School in 1978 and continued her education at Ohio University and Muskingum University. She moved to Chandlersville with her now ex-husband where they created a home for her sons.

Judy attended Chandlersville United Methodist Church but received her formal religious education at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Judy influenced the lives of hundreds of children through her 37 year teaching career at the Rolling Hills School District. She taught special education for 25 of those years finishing her career in United States History at Meadowbrook High School.

After her retirement Judy substitute taught at Meadowbrook and Philo High School. She loved the opportunity this gave her to continue her love of education. Judy loved to create new flower gardens in her yard and plant flowers. One of her greatest pleasures was when someone complimented her on the beauty of her yard. She also enjoyed the time traveling to Alaska and the Caribbean. These traveling adventures allowed her to continue to learn new things.

Judy's greatest blessings are her sons, David Clayton Van Horn and Matthew Dale Van Horn, both of Zanesville. She is also survived by the father of her sons, Dale Lynn Van Horn, of Zanesville; her siblings, Harry E (Abet Gojet) Bell, of Las Vegas NV, Deborah E. Lemert and James K. (Gail) Bell, both of Zanesville; and Cindy (Jerry) Garcia, of Freeland, MI. Her partner of years William (Billy) Lafferty who gave her more love than she ever felt worthy of. William's family and grandchildren who accepted her into their family.

Judy traveled through life by faith. She knew life would not be easy and things would not always go as planned. But when you fall down, you pick yourself up, dust off the dirt and put on the bandages and you begin your journey again. Faith is knowing when you are about to step into the darkness of the unknown, one of two things will happen. You will either be given a rock to stand upon or wings to fly.

Judy was a non-reader in elementary school. Her mother introduced her to Nancy Drew books at the library and she fell in love with the printed word. Later in life, her mother and her would often read the same book and discuss. A favorite quote would be; "rich in life you will never be, for I had a mother who read to me."

A caring cremation has taken place. Judy's family and friends are to gather and celebrate her life. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday July 1, 2022 from 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM at DeLong-Baker & Lanning Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1:00 PM with Reverend Darren Tolbert officiating. No flowers are accepted as Judy would rather you buy a book and give it to a child. There will be plenty of chocolate chip cookies and Diet Mt Dew. As a lover of "thunderstorms and rain" her sons know to wait for a storm to place her ashes, according to her wishes. Mom says, "Boys be careful and don't place them during a lightning storm a gentle rain will do.”

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