Dora Judith Van Beveren

Judy was born in Guatemala to parents Jose and Feliciana Meza. She was the fifth child of six children. Judy spent her childhood in Guatemala and left grade school early to help her mother with cooking and household chores.

At age 16, Judy and her family with the assistance of Lester and Liesel McSherry immigrated to the United States and settled in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. At age 22, she married Adriaan Van Beveren and had two children, which she named after Lester and Liesel. To her despair, Adriaan decided family life was not for him and left the family after five years of marriage when Lester was four years old and Liesel was a year old. Her sister Dalia graciously extended her home to Judy and her children. Her younger sister Maria encouraged Judy to seek job training to gain employment and she entered the field of data entry. Judy lived with Dalia until she and her sister Maria were able to purchase a home for themselves and their children in Downey, CA. Meanwhile, Judy became a valued employee and became a Data Entry Manager managing work projects and several employees.

In 2003, tragedy hit the family when Judy’s granddaughter Amara was stillborn. Judy found solace in visiting her granddaughter’s grave frequently. As her health began to decline, Liesel and her husband Jeff moved Judy in 2018 to live with them in Folsom, CA. Judy was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023 and in 2024 required 24/7 care. Jeff became her full-time caregiver and spent each night on the couch to be near her side. In Judy's final months with us, she enjoyed listening daily to music from Fountainview Academy.

On July 13th, Jeff got up after eating dinner and went to check on Judy. He cradled her head in his hand and gently told her God loves her, her family loves her, she loves Jesus and “He’s got you.” With these words of assurance, Judy turned her head to the side and the breath of life returned to the Lord.

#  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #

Please consider a donation in Judy's honor to Fountainview Academy.