Judith C. Ralph

Ralph, Judith C., 69, of Plantation passed away at home surrounded by her family. A native Floridian, she was lifetime resident of the area. She was a graduate of St. Anthony Catholic School and Central Catholic High School, now known as St. Thomas Aquinas. She was a graduate of St. Mary School of Nursing and a Registered Nurse. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas M. Ralph in 1961. Together they founded T. M. Ralph Funeral Home in 1965, which they continue to operate today. Until 1972, with Tom they provided all ambulance service to the young west Broward area. As a pioneer resident of Plantation, she was active in numerous organizations, and founder of the hospital volunteer program at Plantation General Hospital. In 1975, she returned to college and became a funeral director. She became the only female president of the Florida Funeral Directors Association, was active in the National Funeral Directors Association, and currently served on the advisory board of Miami College School of Funeral Service. She was selected by the late Governor Lawton Chiles to serve on the professional regulatory board for funeral service, and continues in this capacity until today. She was an active parishioner of St. Gregory Catholic Church, where she was a past president of the Women's Guild. While professionally successful, first and foremost she was family person, being a devoted and supportive wife, and a loving mom. Her caring and loving nature extended far beyond her immediate family. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Thomas M. Ralph, her children Judith Mary (Owen) Day, Patricia Jo Ralph, Kathleen Susan Ralph, and Thomas Henry (Pamela) Ralph; her grandchildren, Thomas J. "TJ", Jacqueline, and Jennifer Ralph. And Judy Rose Day; her brothers Henry W. Johnson, and James P. (Jan) Johnson, and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, 10 a.m., at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Lauderdale Memorial Park. For those may wish, the family suggests donations to St. Gregory the Great Endowment Fund, 200 N. University Drive, Plantation, FL 33324 or the Funeral Service Foundation (Hand in Hand Endowment Campaign), 13625 Bishops Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005, Please designate in memory of Judith C. Ralph. Arrangements by T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home 7001 NW 4 St. Plantation, FL 33317 www.tmralph.com 954-587-6888.