Judith Ann ""Judy"" Jacob

Judith Ann Jacob ("Judy")

(February 8, 1952 – May 30, 2014)

Judith Ann Jacob ("Judy") was born February 8, 1952 in Los Angeles, California and passed away peacefully on May 30, 2014 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Judy attended Los Angeles public schools and graduated from Westchester High School in 1969.

Judy received a degree from West Los Angeles College in 1971, then attended UCLA where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in History. After college Judy worked for five years for an anesthesiology group. In 1979 she accepted a job at Swimming World Magazine where she remained employed throughout her life.

Judy grew up near the beaches of Southern California and as a child loved spending time with her cousins, friends and neighbors. Judy was an accomplished pianist and flutist. Judy enjoyed playing the flute in the Westchester Youth Band, various marching bands, orchestras and small ensemble groups as well as playing in church productions.

Judy was an active daughter of the church all of her life. As a youth she attended Our Savior Lutheran Church in Los Angeles. Between 1974 and 1982 she attended Del Rey Hills Evangelical Free Church in Playa Del Rey. The most important day of her life was the day she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior on August 18, 1978, when she was baptized at the beach in Playa Del Rey, California.

Between 1983 and 1994 Judy was part of Community Baptist Church in Manhattan Beach, California. She was involved in the Single Young Adults group and later the LifeStride Group.

On August 4, 1994 Swimming World Magazine relocated to Arizona so Judy moved to Flagstaff. After her arrival Judy worked with children as a group leader for AWANA at Calvary Bible Church and Mountain View Baptist Church. In 1996 Judy found a home at Flagstaff Christian Fellowship where she has worshipped over the past 18 years. Judy taught first and second graders in Sunday school for 3 years. She was also a long time speaker at Hope Cottage Women's Shelter, where it brought her great joy to serve as an encouragement to the women who stayed there. Judy has precious memories from many women's retreats and loved attending the women's Bible Study groups. Judy was also part of a worship team, during which she played her faithful flute.

While at Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Judy met Dave and Nichole Burger and became very interested in their ministry in Poland. When the opportunity arose to join them one summer for a short-term mission, Judy, whose paternal grandfather was born in Poland, jumped at the chance and embarked for the first time on the 18 hour flight back and forth to Poland, trips she would make during the summers of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Judy cherished those trips and especially loved working with the Polish people. On different trips she worked with children, high school girls and in English language instructions with adults. While on mission in Poland Judy had an opportunity to visit other historical cities and sites in Europe as well.

Judy is survived by her brother John Jacob and wife Colleen of Aliso Viejo, CA; brother Jerry Jacob and wife Susan of Los Angeles, CA; nieces and nephew Kathleen Lynn Jacob, Michael Scott Talbert, Shelby Lee Tevere, Karel Elizabeth Burns and her husband, Oliver Wendell Burns III and grand nieces and nephews: Rachel Elizabeth, Oliver Wendell and Zachary Lee Burns, John Michael Talbert and Olive Tevere. She is also survived by many relatives, the members of her church family and thousands of friends throughout the world.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Victor Jacob and Ethel Jacob.

The condolences received from around the world serve as a testament to the great number of friends that Judy had, friends from as far away as Poland, Germany, Australia and all parts in between. Judy was simply a brilliant spark of the divine who throughout her life touched the lives of everyone she came into contact with. We were blessed by her presence. Rest in peace our beloved Judy, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Judy's beloved mission, Flagstaff Christian Fellowship to the Polish Mission Fund, 123 S. Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. (928) 774-3603.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 10, 2014 at Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, 123 S. Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Memories and condolences can be sent to www.norvelowensmortuary.com.

This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.