Judith Aileen Izzard

The world has lost a very special lady. Judith Izzard, age 83, peacefully made her way to Heaven on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends at Cedar Cove Assisted Living in Cedarville, Michigan. Judy was the eldest daughter of William and Helen Mattson of Rudyard. The loss of her mother when Judy was only 17, soon brought the addition of a precious step-mother, Lou (Strong) Mattson. Frederick Izzard of Cedarville, came into Judy's life when she was in high school, and they were married when she was 18. Together, they had three children. While their children were young, Judy decorated and sold cakes that she made at home. Judy drove a school bus for many years, and was elected Clark Township Clerk, where she broke down political barriers by having Rene Rudd, a Republican, as her deputy clerk. Judy only ran as a Democrat because she was running against a Republican. She always voted for the candidate she believed to have the best moral character, no matter which party they represented. As clerk, Judy was instrumental in starting the summer teen dances at the "Purple Flat", now known as the Community Center. She also spearheaded the teen work program that broke ground for the Les Cheneaux School track. Judy and Fred loved to travel together, especially to visit family and friends. They would occasionally travel on Fred's motorcycle. They had a hobby farm where they raised a variety of animals and had a large garden. Judy found great joy in announcing that a meal she had prepared had come entirely from the farm. After Fred's passing in 1983, Judy became licensed to sell real estate. She spent many years working at Smith and Griffin Real Estate in Cedarville, where she was top salesperson several times. She was also the president of the Water Wonderland Board of Realtors, which covers the area in the tip of the mitt and the eastern upper peninsula. She always loved a good meeting and could command the attention of a room full of people. Seeing the need for a place to purchase furniture in the area, Judy opened up a secondhand furniture store called Drydock Furniture and Gifts. As a realtor, Judy had the opportunity to purchase entire houses and cabins full of furniture from the sellers she worked with. Judy loved being involved in the community. She taught a quilting class, was a 4-H leader, decorated thousands of Sayklly's fudge Easter eggs for 4-H fundraisers, and she was in the 4th of July parade whenever possible. Judy ran the chili cookoff for the Les Cheneaux Snowsfest for many years and was the president of the Friends of Cedar Cove volunteer group, which raised donations for the Cedar Cove rental assistance program. She started the annual Cedar Cove garage sale, the ladies fashion show and luncheon, and bracelet sales, just to name a few. Judy was active in the First Union Church in Cedarville. She helped with Vacation Bible School when her children were young, then continued to participate in Bible study, Sunday coffee hour and church choir. Music was a passion of Judy's. She was famous for playing her "gut bucket". She had the opportunity to play this homemade instrument at the church, at the Runway Bar with John Causley Sr, and with the Pickford Pickers at Cedar Cove. Judy spent decades selling her handiwork at craft shows. She began by making mostly Christmas ornaments, then later added doll clothes to her selection. The 3 Mattson sisters all made doll clothes and sold them in their different states. This was just one of the many ways these tight knit sisters kept connected with each other over the years. They swapped patterns, fabric and pictures for inspiration. The final thirty years or so of Judy's life was in the company of a wonderful Canadian man named Herb Melcher. They were active in the Lion's Club and the Boy Scouts of America, through which Judy became a member of the Order of the Arrow. She took great pride in the work they did in these organizations. They made each other laugh so much and seemed like a couple of kids when they were together. They were truly kindred spirits. Judy and Herb spent their winters in Texas and continued their work with the local chapter of the Lion's club down there. Herb returned to Canada during the Covid shut down for health reasons and they continued their relationship over the phone until his passing in June of 2025. They had one final visit together at the hospital shortly before Herb passed away. Judy is survived by her three children, Keith Izzard of Kinross, Michigan, Kelly (Divina) Izzard of Hessel, Michigan, Kim (and the late Mike) Gay of Cedarville; as well as Herb's sons, James Melcher of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Mike Melcher of Cambridge, Ontario; ten grandchildren, Tanya Johnson of Kinross, Madisun (and the late Gary) LaMothe of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Robert Monck of Cedarville, Ford Izzard of Kinross, Joseph (Taylor) Giddings of Stockbridge, Michigan, Abbey Izzard of Hessel, Elly (Shayne) Skeans of Hulbert, Michigan, Alex (Matthew) Hamel of Denver, Colorado, Kelly Izzard Jr. of Ely, Minnesota and Zach Izzard of Kinross; ten great-grandchildren, Jaiden Hornung, Michaela Hornung, Isabella LaMothe, Isaac Glenn LaMothe, and Lucinda LaMothe all of Sault Ste. Marie, Eliza Wilson and Logan Wilson of Kinross, Bentley Izzard Horde of Pickford, Michigan, Joseph Giddings Jr. and Teagan Giddings both of Stockbridge; two sisters, Sandra (Louie) Baumel of Bovey, Minnesota and Susan Marr of Cobb, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Jackie (Larry) Smith of Cedarville, Jo Izzard, and Margie Izzard; and many loved nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Fred and fiancé Herb, Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Bill, Helen and Lou Mattson; father and mother-in-law, Ford and Annabelle Izzard; sisters-in-law, Arbutus, “Boots” (and the late Dean) Brown and Yvonne (and the late Bill) McDonald; brothers-in-law, Wilson (Margie) Izzard and Bob Izzard; step-brother, Lyle (and the late Margaret) Strong; step-sisters, Betty Elliot, Gloria (and the late Dale) Moen, and Elizabeth (and the late Donald) Cheney; and a very special uncle, Melbourne Williams. A Graveside Service at Cedar Cemetery and a potluck at Cedar Cove Assisted Living will be held in June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cedar Cove Assisted Living, 266 Mary L. St., Cedarville, MI 49719. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com. Obituary as submitted by family.

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Judith Aileen Izzard

June 17, 1942 - March 11, 2026