Judy Radford (Handy) Hanna Obituary

Judy Radford (Handy) Hanna peacefully passed away on January 13, 2025. She was 86. Judy was a loving mother, grandmother, loyal friend and a dedicated member of her community.

Judy was born on May 9, 1938, in Dallas, Texas, to Mary Bartha (Nobles) Handy and Robert Weldon Handy. She was the second of four children and lived a life filled with kindness, hard work and generosity.

Judy grew up in El Paso where she spent the rest of her childhood and high school years. In the early 1960s, Judy moved to Dallas. A few years later, she began a career as a secretary for the Dallas Cowboys. She took great pride in answering the phones everyday: "Good morning, Dallas Cowboys." and took very detailed messages from fans especially the morning after a loss. The office of the Dallas Cowboys is also where she met her first husband, Robert Nussbaum, where he scouted for the American Football League. In the late 1970's, Judy and Fred Hanna met through a mutual friend. They married and moved to Rockwall where they lovingly and enthusiastically raised Judy's three children.

Judy had a great eye for detail and enjoyed creating beautiful meals, floral arrangements and decor for others to enjoy. Her passion for cooking and entertaining led her to develop a talent for catering. She had a flair for tweaking recipes to make them her own and to taste even more delicious. Her signature dishes include oyster dressing, Monster Cookies, carrot cake and Key lime pie. She could whip up a 4-course meal in minutes and make it look effortless. She also had a stylish eye for assembling dressed-to-the-nines outfits. She took pride in looking her best always with a classic touch.

Judy's greatest joy was the love she had for her family and friends. She was active in her community and gave her time to many organizations. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rockwall as well as the Rockwall Women's League, National Charity League, Rockwall Literary Club, Rockwall Red Hat Rockettes, Rockwall Community Playhouse, Helping Hands, Friends of the Library and Les Femmes du Monde. Her dedication and warmth touched the lives of everyone she met.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Lane Wright; her first husband, Robert Nussbaum and her second husband, Fred S. Hanna; and her stepdaughter, Emily Hanna Bintliff.

She is survived by her sister, Bartha Jo Taulbe; her brother, Bob Handy and his wife Margaret; her children Forrest Nussbaum and his wife Deanna, Scott Nussbaum and his wife Jennifer, Susan Nussbaum Fitzgerald and her husband Scott; and her stepdaughter Frances Hanna Boswell and her husband Brad. Judy was a proud grandmother to Ethan, Lily, Bowen, Sean, Chase, Wayne, Ben, Henry, Clark, Mason, John and Dan. Judy also leaves behind extended family, close friends, and a community that benefited greatly from her kindness, creativity and care.

A service in celebration of Judy's life will take place on January 25th at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall, starting at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception. The family will welcome friends starting at 1:00 pm, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Judy will be remembered for her generosity, dedication and the love she gave to her family and community. She will be greatly missed.