Judith "Judy" Covington

Judith (Judy) Marie (Schmidt) (Schaefer) Covington, 77, died Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Delmar Gardens Overland Park in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born August 23, 1940 in Wichita, Kansas to Joe and Tina (Brungardt) Schmidt. She attended Girls Catholic High School/Thomas More Prep-Marian in Hays, Kansas. She then entered nurses training at St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, Kansas and graduated with an RN in 1961. Judy then attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas and received her bachelor degree in nursing. Her classmates honored her by voting her Miss Marymount in 1963.

Judy was married to Dr. Joseph Schaefer from 1963 to 1970. She was then married to Don Covington from 1974 until his death in 2011. Judy practiced nursing in Kansas City for 35 plus years including working at Shawnee Mission Hospital in the recovery room for many years. She enjoyed cooking, reading and caring for her children.

Survivors include: her daughter, Mary Lisa Schaefer (Ed) Gillem of Overland Park, Kansas; sons, Joseph Patrick Schaefer and Christopher Paul Schaefer of Lawrence Kansas; sisters, Janet (Len) Jacob of Castle Pines, Colorado, Joanne (Jerry) Stecklein of Colleyville, Texas, Jacinta (Don) Behne of Fallbrook, California.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband Don; her parents, Joe and Tina Schmidt; and a sister, Mary Ann Schmidt.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Delmar Gardens Overland Park and Homestead of Leawood Assisted Living who took such excellent care of Judy.

Judy had a beautiful spirit and was loved by everyone who knew her. She had a heart of gold and will be missed tremendously.

A visitation will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, February 22, with Mass to follow at 11 AM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W 103rd St, Overland Park, KS 66214. Inurnment will be at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, Kansas at 2:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.