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BORN
1939
DIED
2012
Judith Tudhope Obituary
Judith Anna Tudhope, a longtime resident of Ventura and Oxnard, died of natural causes on April 8, 2012, while vacationing with her family in Dijon, France.
Known to many of her friends as Jay or JZ, Judith was born on April 13, 1939, in Chicago, Ill., to Stephen and Katerina Zavodny. She was raised in Chicago by her uncle and aunt, Steve and Judita Kovar. She also spent many summers on the farm in Wisconsin with the family of her uncle and aunt, Martin and Anna Svetlik.
Judy graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1957 and graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1961. After moving to California she worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Probation.
Following the birth of her son, she relocated to Ventura to raise her family. She later worked for the United States Postal Service as a window clerk in the Downtown and East Ventura branches, retiring in 2006.
She is survived by her mother, Katerina Hazucha, and her sister, Janet Campana, both of Romeoville, Ill.; her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen Tudhope and Marcie McTigue of Ventura; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Jill and Gary McKinsey of Diamond Bar; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Joel Atmore of Grand Prairie, Texas. She loved her grandchildren Patrick Downey, John McKinsey, Justin Downey, Emily Atmore, Elizabeth Atmore, Shay Tudhope, and Neko Tudhope.
Judy considered herself a citizen of the world and was an avid traveler. Recent trips included China, India, Ireland, and France. Her positive outlook on life and her love of learning were well known by her many friends around the world. She enjoyed her local book clubs, art classes, French club, and volunteering in her granddaughters' elementary school.
She was also a big sports fan and supported her home teams from Chicago, but she will be particularly remembered as a loyal fan of the Los Angeles Lakers for more than 40 years.
Judy also had a strong passion for social justice and was an active member of the Amnesty International chapter in Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation to Amnesty International.
A celebration of Judy's life is planned for Saturday, May 26. Please contact her family for details.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Judith Tudhope
Sponsored by anonymous.
May 13, 2012
Dave & LaVerne Carlson
May 7, 2012
We met Judy 55 years ago when we were fellow classmates of the January 1957 class of Carl Schurz High School in Chicago. We have remained friends all these years and always enjoyed our times together at the many class reunions we've had. Judy had already planned to attend our 55th in September. She will be greatly missed. She definitely loved and lived life to the fullest! What a loss -- but what a wonderful treasure of memories we have to carry in our hearts! Our sympathy to all the family.
Tanya Strobl
April 29, 2012
I had the pleasure of having Judy in my life for over half of it and my children were blessed 2 have been raised in her presence. To many memories 2 list she was an amazing woman & there will never be another one like her. She will forever be our "Fairy Godmother" and we will hold her in our hearts always.. RIP Fairy Godmother we love and miss you :'(
Karen Hemming
April 28, 2012
We go away back to Juanamaria Elementary...lots of volunteering...PTA...Paul Woodard...carnivals...our kids. I am sorry you had to go so soon Judy.
Victoria Helton
April 24, 2012
The world has lost such a kind, decent, and joyful person. I met Judy at the PO. I admired her sense of humor, her commitment to Amnesty International and her zest for life and travel. my sincere condolences to the family.
April 23, 2012
Judy,
I met you at the BCNN club in June 2009 and I liked your smile, your love of travel and your knowledge .We loved the Foreign film twice a month in Oxnard Plaza theaters and our occasional discussion afterwards.You were kind, open minded, smart and have a Zest for life.You were getting good on the French class and looking to celebrate the 13th overseas.I will miss you.Until we meet again .
My deepest sympathy to your family
Rosa Maine
Sharon Manzo
April 23, 2012
I worked in the P.O. with Judy. She was always on the go. We all count the days to retirement, & Judy hit the pavement running. She shared her travels & fun on Facebook & was making the most of everyday. She came on one of my ski trips, & got others to come too. She loved golf. The one time we played was the fastest game I'd ever played. She loved life, and was such an inspiration to live life to the fullest. She will be missed, & my prayers go out to you, her family & other friends. Thank you, Judy, for your friendship.
Jennifer Holst
April 22, 2012
I only knew Judy from the post office, where I was a customer. She would always greet me warmly and tell me about the next trip she was planning. She made an impression on me as a lovely, friendly lady. My deepest sympathy to your family.
Brenda
April 22, 2012
Judy, I met you at Maxx's 4th of July party in 2009 and we became friends right away. I will forever cherish the times we went to the movies and the exchange of e-mails and Facebook messages about movies, Mad Men, Trent Reznor, the Dodgers and Lakers. Thank you for being my friend. We'll meet again in the next life in the middle of a baseball game between the Dodgers and Cubs. <3
Joanne Kaplan
April 22, 2012
I first met Judy as the parent of Stephen, who was in my GATE class. I visited with her often at the Post Office and also at many shows at the Rubicon Theatre. So sorry for your loss.
Mama
Katerina Hazucha
April 22, 2012
Moya Jutka,
Mama cries for you. I wish I could trade places with you. I'm so old and you had so many more years.I'll see you someday in heaven.
Love your maminka
Kirsten Ransom
April 22, 2012
To know someone that is as uncompromising and sure of their life as Judy was is a gift that you can only hope to know. Luckily, I knew that by having Judy touch my life.
Greg Bach
April 22, 2012
I am so grateful to have had Judy in my life. On the worst days working at the Post Office Judy knew just the right thing to say to lift my spirits. She always encouraged me to leave and find something better, and I did! We still remained friends after we left the Post Office.
Judy, my fellow art-loving flaming liberal, you will be missed!
-Greg & George
Ann and Ross Howard
April 22, 2012
Dear Jill, Shannon and Steve, I am so sorry to hear about Judy's death. What a huge void it leaves for all her friends and especially for you kids and your kids. She loved you all so unconditionally just like she did her life. She truly lived life to the fullest and I loved her alot. God bless you all and help you through this difficult time. Ross and I will be there at the Memorial. Love, Ann and Ross
J. Devereaux Leahy
April 22, 2012
April 22, 2012
My wife, Midge and I lived at Stonehedge in East Ventura from 1988 until 2007. During those years we got to know and see Judy at the local USPO, where she worked the office counter. She was a warm and friendly gal with whom we always enjoyed discussing mutual interests such as vacation plans and the LAKERS, whom we both avidly followed!
After relocating to University Village 1000 Oaks in 2007, we got to know a nice, young dining-room supervisor, Patrick Downey, whom we chatted with almost daily. We are surprised to now learn that Patrick is Judy's grandson and that she and Midge both attended Carl Schurz HS in Chicago over 50 years ago!
Small world, indeed! And now even smaller with the news that we have lost Judy. a most likeable lady! She will be missed!
Midge & Dev Leahy
April 22, 2012
My sympathy for the family. Judy was such a open minded and loving person I will miss her a lot. I am so grateful to have known her if only for a few years.
Love and Prayers.
Dolas
Maxx Cunningham
April 22, 2012
"Each man's/woman's life touches so many other lives. When he/she isn't around he/she leaves an awful hole, doesn't he/she?" Clearance the angel from IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Judy the hole left by you absence is huge. We often talked about the difference between touching someone's life and impacting someone's life. And judging by the things I have heard people say about you since you left you have IMPACTED many people's lives... I know you impacted mine. Miss you.
Over looking Santa Cruz island
Maxx Cunningham
April 22, 2012
Returning from Santa Cruz Island
Maxx Cunningham
April 22, 2012
Judy contemplating her surroundings Santa Cruz Island
Maxx Cunningham
April 22, 2012
Halloween late 20th century at the USPS
Maxx Cunningham
April 22, 2012
Leliet
April 22, 2012
Steve and family, I am so very grateful that Judy was my friend for 26 years. She so enriched my life!! and was part of my son's life as well. I will miss her terribly. Peace
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