Judith “Judy” Lenz McPhail, age 76, passed away on March 10, 2022, at her home in Hampton, VA.  Born in Riverside Hospital, Newport News, VA, she was the daughter of the late G. Franklin Lenz Jr. and Frances Adams Lenz.

Judy was a 1963 graduate of Warwick High School where she was a member of the Acapella Choir and an accomplished pianist. After graduation, she attended Southern Seminary Jr. College for a short time then transferred and graduated from VCU in Engineering Technology in 1966.

As a young adult, Judy was an avid equestrian, owning and training young horses and riders, and winning many horse shows. She was also an active member of The James River Hunt Club. 

She began work as the first female Electrical Designer at Newport News Shipyard until leaving the company in April 1, 1977.  She began a new career in 1979 at John J. McMullen where many good friends still get together monthly and reminisce about the good times at JJMA.  In 2004, she returned to HII Newport News Shipbuilding and retired in 2016. While working in the marine field she became the second female member of The Propellor Club, Port of Newport News.

Judy married Wayne McPhail in 1999 after he proposed on a scuba diving trip at 28’ underwater in the Bahamas. Judy and Wayne spent a joyous 17 years in Smithfield, VA living by the water, and then in 2017 moved to a waterfront community in Hampton, VA where they have made many friends.

Judy enjoyed snow skiing, but Wayne couldn’t keep up, so boating became their favorite pastime since Wayne has always been obsessed with boats. Beginning with their honeymoon in Greece, they also enjoyed their cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Italian coastline, and the Rhine River.

Judy is survived by two children, Richard Christopher Silcox (wife Jennifer) and James Lee Silcox (wife Alisa) and her brother Robert Franklin Lenz (wife Judi) and two nieces. She was also truly blessed with two fine grandchildren, Madison Katherine Silcox and Zackary Charles Silcox and the best kitty ever, Patches.    

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at Northside Christian Church, 1300 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Yorktown, VA, where she was a long-standing member.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the ASPCA or the Dementia Society of America. Any floral arrangements for the family may be delivered to Northside Christian Church.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.