Rev. Judith Anne Young Mayo, Judy, died in the early morning of January 15, 2026 from liver disease. She was seventy-seven years old. Judy was surrounded by family. She was the wife of Jim Mayo, mother of Amy (Mike) Mayo-Moyle and Michael (Jamie) Mayo and Nana to Allison, Nathan, Ben and Ryan. Judy is preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Dorothy (nee Forcillo) Young.

Judy grew up in Babylon, New York. She played the viola and first thought she would go to school to become a professional musician. She attended SUNY Potsdam where she majored in English and became a high school English teacher. She taught for three years in Washingtonville, NY. Judy met Jim in 1972 and they married on June 30, 1973. Jim and Judy raised their family in Plymouth, Michigan and attended Newburg United Methodist Church in Livonia. In 1983, Judy became the Director of Christian Education at Newburg where she directed children and youth ministries, later adding adult ministries. Judy was creative and passed on her passion for justice and the concept of shalom. She believed that faith was best experienced caring for others and ministering alongside those on the margins. While at Newburg, Judy began to attend seminary and earned her master's degree in Christian Education from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1992. Judy was consecrated a Diaconal Minister in 1992 and ordained a Deacon in The United Methodist Church in 1997. She was in the first class of fully ordained deacons in the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 1998, Judy began serving as the Director of the Eastside Covenant Cooperative Churches and serving at Christ Church in Detroit. Judy then went on to serve as Deacon at Ypsilanti First United Methodist Church in 2001.

Judy's pride and joy was her family. Nothing made Judy happier than having her family gathered together. She loved to cook for her family and spend time with them at the cottage. She was a devoted wife and was incredibly proud of her children. Her greatest joy in life was being Nana. Judy loved discovering the gifts in each of her grandchildren and could listen to them talk about their passions for hours.

Judy cross-stitched, knitted and quilted. She showed her love through her stitches, making and giving quilts to people important to her. Judy lived her life loving and teaching others, encouraging them to be creative and to build a better world. Judy would want to know the colors you would use to paint the sky and for you to look for the diamonds on the lake.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 from 5-8 pm at Stark Funeral Professionals in Ypsilanti and Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10 am at Ypsilanti First United Methodist Church with memorial service to follow at 11 am. You can view the service live by clicking the link below.

Live Service

If you would like to make a gift in memory of Judy, please consider Immigration Law & Justice Michigan or Ypsilanti First United Methodist Church .

**In addition to the funeral home parking lot, street parking is available and a public lot is located across the street on Ferris, between Huron and Washington.