Judith Ann Hynes' Obituary
Judith Ann “Judy” Hynes, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at HCA Hospital in Houston, with her son Steve and daughter-in-law Rizza by her side.
Born in Houston, Texas, at St. Joseph’s Hospital to Le Roy “Pop” and Mary Elise “Mitch” Mitchell, Judy was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother John Eldon Mitchell, Aunt Inez Dutch, and her devoted husband, John Bernard Hynes Jr.
Judy graduated from Waltrip High School with the Class of 1962 and attended the University of Houston, where she majored in English. On July 25, 1964, she married the love of her life, John Bernard Hynes Jr. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four sons: John Bernard III, Steven Scott, David Michael, and Daniel Roy. Judy poured her heart into motherhood, creating a warm and loving home filled with laughter, support, and countless cherished memories. She worked very hard each Christmas alongside her husband to ensure the boys received one or two gifts they truly wanted — whether it was a Big Wheel, new sports clothing or equipment, a bicycle, early electronic video games, or a compact stereo. She was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren—Iain, Gavin, Kylie, Chad, Erin, Thea, Harrison, Harper, Reese, and Leia—whom she adored and loved spoiling whenever possible.
Throughout her life, Judy balanced family, work, and a deep love for the people and activities that brought her joy. She worked for many years in accounting at Dresser Rand, where her attention to detail and strong work ethic were greatly valued. She also frequently stepped in to support her husband’s business at Hynes Bakery in downtown Houston, always willing to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. A dedicated sports mom, she was a constant presence at her boys’ games. She cheered enthusiastically through Little League, middle school, and high school athletics—often serving as team mom or helping with the cheer teams while John coached. Her unwavering support meant the world to her sons and left a lasting impression on their lives.
Judy had a vibrant spirit and many passions that brought light to her days. She loved traveling to Colorado, Branson, Missouri, Kentucky to visit family, and New Orleans. She enjoyed eating out, especially at Don Jose or savoring fried catfish at Pappas, and was rarely without a Coke Zero (and later Sprite Zero) in hand. An avid reader, she cherished romance novels, and her family has lovingly donated hundreds of them in her memory. She adored Rogers and Hammerstein musicals such as The Sound of Music and Oklahoma!, along with many other classic musicals and movies. Like her father, she had a beautiful singing voice and would belt out Broadway tunes when she thought no one was listening. She also loved shopping, going to the movies, and visiting drive-in theaters in her younger years.
A true animal lover, Judy was deeply upset whenever she saw a dog on the road and could not bear to see any animal in harm’s way. Over the years, her household was filled with beloved pets including Hobi, Marci, Pepper, Snoopy, Samantha, Sylvester, Grayboy (famously known as “the most vicious cat ever”), Snowball, and many more.
After her husband John passed away in early 1998, Judy continued to live life fully. She retired in 2013 and stayed active with hobbies, shopping, dining out, and spending cherished time with her children and grandchildren.
Judy will be remembered for her warm heart, her infectious love of life, her unwavering support for her family, and the countless letters she once exchanged with her father during his service in WWII. She was the heart of her family — a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend. Her voice, her laughter, and her kind spirit will live on in all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her four sons, ten grandchildren, and a large circle of extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.
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