Name: Visitation for Judith Rabe
Start: 2019-01-11T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-01-11T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, Inc. - Colchester

Salem - Judith Anne "Judy" Rabe, 74, of Salem, wife of Norman E. Rabe, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday (Jan. 4, 2019) after a courageous one year fight with pancreatic cancer.

Born on August 22, 1944 in Lebanon, N.H., Judy was the daughter of the late Harvey and Mary (Brezinski) Bassy. She graduated with a nursing degree from the Brigham and Womens' Hospital and was soon employed at Hartford hospital. With two small children, Judy was widowed at age 31. She continued her education, receiving a Master's Degree, and retiring as a Diabetes Educator after 32 years of service. Norm and Judy met in 1988 at a regional singles organization on their first and second visit and were married in 1989.

Judy is survived by her beloved husband of 29 years; their daughter, Kathy Hyde (Chris) and sons, Kevin Jelm (Darlene), Eric Rabe and Arthur Rabe (Paula); and her sisters, Sandra, Janis, and Jane; grandchildren, Alexis, Savannah, Logan, Patrick, and Janzen are all above average. Judy's life remained incredibly active after retirement with many old and new interests. She edited the town newspaper and was elected to and was Chairperson of the town Library Board. A huge activity was as Chairperson for 12 years of the annual Friends of the Salem Library Book Sale, greatly growing the event. In the latest decade, Judy became totally committed to the Clamshell Quilt Guild and produced many excellent items. For her extensive work in her town, she was recognized as a Salem Unsung Hero. Judy (and Norm) became dedicated fans of UConn Women's Basketball and the Boston Red Sox, cheering many victories. Her interest in basketball went back to high school where she had a noted career.

Judy is a communicant of the Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Oakdale. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Everyone who knew her is a better person for it.

The family will receive guests 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2018 at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester. Burial will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to the Friends of the Salem Free Library, 264 Hartford Road, Salem, CT 06420. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jan. 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Judith Rabe

Sponsored by Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, Inc. - Colchester.

4 Entries

Annette Fung

January 4, 2020

January 4, 2020

Please accept my deepest condolences to the Rabe family.

A few years ago, Judy announced that she stepped down from Chairperson for 12 years of the annual Friends of the Salem Library Book Sale. We ran into each other and she showed me her hands and told me that she could not handle the task - picking up and sorting' the books - any more due to arthritis.

We were neighbors. I walked around the block in the neighborhood.
On Tuesdays I would see six to seven cars parked outside of her house. The visitors brought their own sewing machines to her house. Judy told me that she held a sewing group meeting' once a week. When new born babies were still in the hospital, the light around the bassinet irritated the babies' sleep. The mission of the group was to sew canopies for the new born babies.

Then Judy was sick. The last time I saw Judy was during her courageous fight with cancer. She was about to get in the car. She was thinner. I asked her about her treatment. She hugged me and told me it was going very well!

I still walk around the block, but no more crowded cars around her house on Tuesdays.

On land or sea, what matter where? Where Jesus is, it is heaven there

Annette Fung
Salem, Connecticut

Donna Jenks-Wright

January 19, 2019

To the loving family of Judy. Judy was my classmate at Lebanon High School and was one of our most outstanding scholars and personalities. We loved her dearly and will ever so fondly remember her light and love. There is little doubt that she is gathering the classmates who have journeyed ahead of her and having the grandest of reunions in Heaven. We were all blessed, as I am sure you have also, that Judy was in our lives. My deepest condilences to all that knew and lived her. Donna Jenks-Wright, Class if '62 and loving friend.CC9yx