Be sure to read Judy's Classmate Profile and Memories of High School as this is just a brief tribute to her as she did so much for others! 

Judith Rae Hanson was born to Charles and Anita Hanson on June 8, 1944 in Orange County.  In 1960 the family moved to South Gate and Judy came to SGHS during the middle of our junior year.  She hated it at first, as she missed the OC, her friends, and surfing!  She was lucky enough to have a car and she would head back to her home town on Fridays right after school.  Eventually, she decided South Gate High was OK and she got involved in Choir, Glee Club, GAA, and met some new friends.  With her outgoing personality and spirit, Jannifer Schroeder (S'62), Jean and Joan Shober (S'62) and Sue Yerkes (S'62) became her close friends and they were known as the "Four J's and Sue."  She loved to follow our local rock and roll bands, especially Walter Andrade's (S'62), and go dancing at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa.  

Judy married right after high school graduation and Scot Alan Galle was born in 1963.  She and her husband divorced and in 1972 she and James Dillard married.  James brought April and Chris into the family and Judy became a mom to three growing kids.  She loved her family and was an involved mom!  She got interested in Ancestory and her "Family Tree," eventually meeting many found relatives, and that led to her becoming a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  She enjoyed speaking at schools and programs, sharing American history, and she chaired many committees, along with being Past Regent and Past President of the Daughters of the American Revolution.    

After their kids were grown, she and James tried cross-country truck driving so they could get paid for traveling.  However, James lasted two months and went back to his "union job," but Judy continued on for over nine years, solo driving a truck from Coast to Coast, into Canada to the Mexican border, until she got vertigo and had to give it up.  

It was said of Judy that she was a "Jack of all trades and mastered them all," and that is so true!  But, she was most important to us and our SGHS Class of 1962 and other classes as well!  From our 25th Reunion and on, Judy joined the Reunion Committee and put her enthusiasm and gift of perseverance into forever action.  After our 30th Reunion, Judy worked with Diane Curry Brewer (W'62) to track down and locate missing classmates and encourage them to come to our reunions.  They worked tirelessly together as a great team, had a "blast" with it, and became know as our Prodder and Stalker!  

Judy and James have a large, loving family of three children and spouses, six grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren, spread all over the country.  You can read Judy's entusiasm and great sense of humor as she excitedly has added to her Classmate Profile through the years when a grandchild or great grandchild was born and she proudly shared their pictures!  Judy had a heart of gold and not only cared dearly about their family but her friends as well.  She and James opened their hearts and Riverside home to some of Judy's dear friends and their family members when they were in need, as well as one of their granddaughters and great granddaughter.  

The last reunion Judy and James attended was the 1960-1965 Combined Reunion in November 2023.  They made it Friday night but then she felt ill and they didn't come back to the Saturday night party.  Shortly after, she was hospitalized with Congestive Heart Failure and suffered with it through the ensuing year.  Sadly, Judy passed away November 25, 2024.   She is dearly missed by her loving husband, family and friends.  Rest in Peace, dear Classmate.

You can read her obituary by googling Cremation Society of Riverside County and clicking "Obituaries" and type in Judith Rae Dillard to read her obituary.