Judy Kathleen Lander

Judy Kathleen Lander

Highlands - Judy Kathleen Lander, a native Houstonian, died Monday, May 9 in her “Birdhouse” home in the mountains of Highlands, NC where she had lived since 2002. She was 68. Mrs. Lander, known as a sweet woman with a big heart, was the daughter of James Stratton Wax and Lolita Phillips Wax. She graduated from Lamar High School in 1961 and attended the University of Texas where she studied Classics. She graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in English after marrying Greg Martin in 1965. Also an accomplished pianist and vocalist, she combined her music and writing skills to help write and direct many amateur performances for her children’s schools and community organizations in New Orleans, Louisiana where she lived for 12 years. When she moved back to Houston to help care for her parents, she met and married in 1987 the love of her life, Jack W. Lander, Jr. Together they enjoyed traveling, golfing, and working on Jack’s farm in Hallettsville, Texas. In 1998 they bought the house in Highlands where they could golf and enjoy the lush glory of the Nantahala National Forest. Jack passed away there in 2002.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Debbie Wax and their son and daughter-in-law Todd and; her daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Guido Faas and their children, Stella and Archer; her son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Bronwen Martin and their children Olive, Coral and Stratton; and her three beloved shih-tzus, Pandy, Foxy and Inzi.

A memorial service will held at George Lewis Funeral Home in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family asks that you donate money to The Preservation Resource Center at 923 Tchoupitoulas Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 or to pro-bono veterinary support atCashiers Village Veterinary, 855 US Highway 64 W, Cashiers, NC 28717-9557

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.