Judith "Judy" Kay Thorpe

Eleven years after her brother, Richard was born to Albert and Vivian Thompson, Judith Kay arrived in the early hours of July 8, 1939, at the family home on State Street in North Vernon, Indiana. For whatever reason, the doctor who delivered her incorrectly recorded her birthdate as July 7, 1939, and that mistake bedeviled her for the next 86 years.

Judy adored her family and had a loving childhood. She enjoyed tagging along with her father to the Park Theater, which he owned, and taking family vacations to Miami Beach. Cherished memories of adventures and antics on State Street were made with many friends.

In June 1959, Judy married, Warren Hall and together they had five children: Scott, Michelle, Andrew, Kevin and Allison. Judy’s greatest passion in life was being a mother and she loved her children with all of her heart.

But a fateful summer vacation to visit relatives in Virginia and Indiana devastated her growing family and her role as a mother.

On June 17, 1975, just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, a drunk driver hit the families blue Volvo, killing Scott (age 14), Andrew (age 8) and Allison (age 3) and severely injuring Michelle (age 12) and Kevin (age 5) was blessedly unharmed. She buried her children in the Vernon Cemetery on June 21, 1975. Over the ensuing months, she clung to Kevin and fiercely fought for Michelle to survive and thrive through the lengthy recovery.

It was a small bundle that saved Judy and the Hall family in April 1976, when at two months of age, Molly was adopted. Renewed joy came again five years later when Emily was adopted in 1981. Unfortunately, the accident and its memories became too much for Warren and Judy’s marriage and they divorced.

Doug Thorpe brought calmness and stability to Judy’s life when he married her in 1985. Together they raised Molly and Emily, guided Kevin through his teen years, and helped Michelle start her life with David. Doug and Judy shared a deep love and partnership throughout their 40 years of marriage.

The accident was a source of lifelong anguish for Judy. Birthdays and accident’s anniversaries were especially hard, even 50 years later. In 2018, she was crushed to learn that a mad had stolen Andrew’s identity after committing a horrific crime that had lived as Andrew Hall for twenty years. She asked how someone could tarnish her beautiful, smiling son’s name.

Judy lost a fourth child when Kevin died in May 2021. From this, she never truly recovered and again asked how one mother could lose so much.

Judith Kay Thompson Hall Thorpe died on December 8, 2025 in Muncie, Indiana, with her family by her side. Her love for her husband, children and grandchildren was boundless and will be felt forever. She lived a life of profound sorrow, but she also enjoyed many years of contentment with her family and dear friends from across the country. She is remembered for her enormous strength, her kindness, devotion and compassion.

Judith Kay Thompson Hall Thorpe was preceded in death by her children, Scott Hall, Andrew Hall, Allison Hall and Kevin Hall; her brother, and sister-in-law, Richard and Jean Thompson; her parents, Albert and Vivian Thompson.

She is survived by her husband, Doug Thorpe; her children, Michelle Bjork, Molly Hall and Emily Hall; son-in-law David Bjork; daughter-in-law, Karen Hall; stepson, Troy Thorpe; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Thorpe; her ten grandchildren, Andrew Bjork, Gavin Hall, Katelyn Hall, Aaron Hall, Brice Stundick, Alex Stundick, Caterina Foga, Scott Foga, Kate Johnson and Taylor Thorpe.

Services will be held at Vernon Cemetery in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made in Judy’s memory to Mothers Against Drunk Driving at 511 East John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75062.

You may express condolences or share a memory of Judy at www.ballardandsons.com.