Judy Kay (Gerdes) Hossack

Judy Kay (Gerdes) Hossack, 78, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away in the early morning on July 28, 2026.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 322 North Horne, Mesa, Arizona 85203. A reception will follow in Knight Hall. For those that cannot attend in person, the service will be broadcast on the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Mesa’s Facebook page – https://facebook.com/stmarksmesa and YouTube channel - St. Mark's Episcopal Mesa - YouTube

Judy was born in Hinton, Oklahoma on February 19, 1948 to John and Fern Gerdes, joining big sister Vicki Carroll. In 1954, Judy and her parents moved to Arizona where she attended Kiva Elementary School and Scottsdale High School, graduating from SHS in 1966. She met the love of her life, Christopher Hossack, while attending the College of Education at Arizona State University and they married on July 13, 1968 at St. Mark’s. They welcomed a daughter, Heather, and son, Heath, who were the lights of her life and spoiled rotten. She made beautiful clothes for them, threw elaborate birthday parties, welcomed their friends into her home, and made sure they never went without, always putting them first.

Judy was an active member of the PTO at Field Elementary School and the President while Heather and Heath were in school. She was lovingly known as the “Snow Cone Lady” by all the kids at Field. Every Friday, she lugged hundreds of pounds of shaved ice to the school, much to the delight of all the students. Judy was by Chris’ side when he started the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band in 1980. She supported the band’s fundraising efforts, organizing multiple events like the Robert Burns and Tartan Day dinners with the skill and perfection of a professional party planner. Judy was also a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, DC Chapter, in Mesa, since 1990. Most importantly, she was a faithful servant of the Lord and a dedicated member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for over 58 years. At St. Mark’s, Judy was the go-to for nearly every reception, pancake supper, spaghetti dinner or other event being held at the Church. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years, served on the Vestry and priest selection committees multiple times, was a regular representative to the Arizona Diocesan Convention and was the unofficial welcomer to all who attended St. Mark’s. It did not matter if Judy knew you for years or just met you. She always greeted you with her beautiful smile, a complement and a warm hug that you felt in your heart and stayed with you forever.

No one was happier to welcome Heather’s and Heath’s spouses, Eric and Catie, into the family – not as in-laws, but as her favorite and easiest to raise son and daughter. Thereafter, her days were brightened with the additions of grandchildren, Chelsea, Connor, Elizabeth and Dalton. “Mammy”, as she was lovingly named by Chelsea, had a special way of bringing magic into their lives. They built forts, had copious amounts of riding toys, went swimming, had sleepovers in the backyard, took trips to Disneyland and brought the “Magic Apple Fairy” into their lives, always having something special waiting for them in the special cabinet. Her love did not just extend to the grandkids – it spilled over to the kids’ friends as they grew up with everyone calling her Mam!

Her life was further brightened by the additions of Chelsea’s and Connor’s spouses, Oscar and Bri, whom she loved like her own, welcoming them into the family with open arms. Judy was then blessed with her two beautiful great-granddaughters, Mia and Maci, who instantly stole her heart. She brought that same special magic to Mia’s and Maci’s lives, watching them two days a week, and spoiled them rotten. Mammy days were their favorite days because anything they wanted, they got without hesitation.

Judy was an amazing cook, pie maker and the queen of the holidays. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, where her house was decorated from top to bottom. Judy’s parties were legendary. If you ever attended one of her gatherings, you walked out stuffed, loved and wondering how one woman could throw such an event, with every detail perfect. Even though she was too humble to believe it, she was a professional.

She leaves behind her heartbroken family - her husband of 58 years, Christopher Hossack, children Heather and Eric Seiferth, and Heath and Catie Hossack; grandchildren Chelsea and Oscar Trevino, Connor and Brianna Seiferth, Elizabeth Hossack and Dalton Hossack; great-granddaughters Mia Trevino and Maci Trevino; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends who became like family.

Judy was preceded in death by her beloved parents, John and Fern Gerdes, sister Vicki Harvey, and parents-in-law Donald and Doris Hossack, who we are certain all welcomed her into heaven with waiting arms.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her beloved St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Sunday School, Facility Repair or Food & Fellowship Funds (www.stmarksmesa.org) or the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band (www.mcpb.org).

“Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.” – C.S. Lewis

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.