Judith Jack Slebodnick

Judy, our mother and wife, sister and aunt, grandmother and friend, passed away early Christmas morning. As a result, her favorite holiday now carries extra significance. The 25th of December will elicit sadness and tears as she won’t be here to celebrate with us and open her annual gift from her husband, that year’s Tinkerbell Lennox ornament. The day will also prompt us to reflect on the many stories we shared with Judy. While there are too many stories to recount here, it is almost certain that they share one theme: Judy loved life, relishing in the simple but wonderful things life had to offer and loved living life with her family and friends by her side.

Judy loved having a good time. This could be as simple as shooting the shit and shit talking in the living room or on the phone, or as grand as bouncing from one ride to the next and taking pictures with the various characters at Disney World. She loved being outside, especially on a hot, hot day sunbathing with baby oil (please wear sunscreen!) and hosting picnics and parties in the backyard. She loved spending time down the lake sitting by a fire or around a table listening to music and enjoyed trips to Cape May or being tossed around by the Jersey Shore waves, laughing the whole time. She also loved a cold drink and a good smoke (in the various ways that could mean!) whether at a local bar on pool night – maybe taking the table herself once or twice - or in her kitchen or at a friend’s house.

What makes Judy’s passing so hard is that we, her family and friends shared in these good times, which is what made them so special to her. She loved us and she showed it during those moments together. Due to complications of a 30-year battle with chronic heart disease and living life her way (no shame or blame), there aren’t any more stories to be had. Luckily, for someone in such a small package (she never got to five feet tall!!), Judy gave us so many stories to hold onto and remember her by. Stories punctuated by her smile and laughter. Stories holding time-tested wisdom, like use Windex on each and every stain. Stories reminding us whatever the circumstance, you always had someone who will always love you. Stories showing us what it is like to persevere despite the most challenging circumstances. And stories modeling how to live life unapologetically, as Judy was Judy no matter what, like wearing those short shorts (which may or may not have gotten her banned from entering a military commissary) and showing off her tattoos. Our stories with Judy remind us to treasure the simple but meaningful parts of life: time spent with family and friends.

Judy joins her mother and father, Peggy and James, her beloved dog, Lucky Star, and other family and friends who have passed in whatever awaits us after this life. She is survived by her husband, Wayne; her loving children and their spouses, James and Deirdre, Wayne Jr. and Mandi, Stephen and Erin, and Victoria and Todd; her sister and brother-in law, Trish and Frank; her nephew and niece, Jason and Shanna, her parents-in-law, Elaine and Eugene; her 13 grandbabies and another on the way, and other family and friends who will continue to share her stories and enable her to live on through their words and actions.

Thank you for being a part of Judy’s unforgettable story.