Judith Carol Jay

Judith Carol Jay, 82 of Des Moines, Iowa passed away peacefully on July 25. 2026 surrounded by her loving daughter.

Judy was born in Abilene, Texas, to Jack and Sarah Jay. When she was just a little girl, her family moved to Des Moines, the city she would call home for most of her life. Judy's journey took her to many different places, driven by her deep commitment to politics and public service. Judith was a fighter. She was a breast cancer survivor.

A highlight of her career was serving the country in Washington, D.C., during the early 1980's, where she worked closely with Richard Gephardt.

Beyond her professional life, Judy was a woman of fierce conviction and deep intellect. She beat breast cancer with the same stubborn determination she brought to everything else. Her true passion was reading, a lifelong love that fueled her sharp mind. She was a passionate advocate for the less fortunate, always standing up for what she believed in - and she never hesitated to let you know exactly where she stood. When she wasn't engaged in community and politics, Judy could be found listening to her favorite music or enthusiastically cheering on her beloved Green Bay Packers.

Judy's legacy lives on through her family. She is survived by her sister, Janice Jay of Des Moines; her children, Denise Lind (Aaron) of Kansas, Vicki King of West Des Moines, Deanna King of West Des Moines and Michael Miklus of Ankeny, Iowa. She also leaves behind many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Sarah Jay, and her beloved grandchild, David Way.

In lieu of flowers, it is kindly requested that donations be made in Judy's memory to the Iowa Democratic Party or to a charitable organization of your choice.