Judith J. Clasen

1937 - 2022

Judith Joan Clasen, 84, of Chicago, entered into eternal life on February 26, 2022. Judy was born on October 21, 1937 to Elmer and Minnie Clasen of Cicero, Illinois. An only child, Judy was preceded in death by her parents, her paternal grandparents Paul and Minnie Clasen and maternal grandparents Jack and Joan Amato. Raised in Cicero, Judy was a 1955 graduate of J. Sterling Morton High School. Judy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. Judy was a French language teacher for several years, and then began a long career at the University of Illinois-Chicago, where she worked first in the School of Public Health and then at the Medical School in the Department of Radiology. After retiring from U of I, Judy enjoyed her great passion for opera by being an usher at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Judy loved to travel and was a lifelong supporter of culture and the arts in Chicago, in particular the Lyric Opera, Grant Park Music Festival, Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Symphony, Art Institute and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Judy's greatest love was her Catholic faith. As an active parishioner of Holy Name Cathedral for almost 40 years, she served in many roles, including RCIA team member, lector, extraordinary minister of communion, and minister of care. Judy received a certificate in Liturgy from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Judy was also active at St. Peter's in the Loop, where she was a member of the San Damiano Fraternity Secular Franciscan Order, a lector and extraordinary minister of communion. Judy lived for many years at McClurg Court, and in 2019, moved to Brookdale Senior Living, where she made many new friends. Judy loved everyone and was a joy to all who knew her. Judy died peacefully 18 months after her cancer diagnosis, knowing she was loved by many. Judy and all those who loved her are grateful to Judy's medical team at Northwestern Medicine, and care teams at Brookdale Lakeview, JourneyCare Hospice, and Age with Ease. In a final act of generosity, Judy donated her body for medical study so that the medical students she loved could receive the training they need. A memorial mass to celebrate Judy's life will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 10:00 am at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Street, Chicago. Interment of Judy's ashes will be held privately at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois, on a future date. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to remember Judy may have masses offered for her at the Catholic church or organization of the donor's choice, or donations in Judy's memory can be made to the Lyric Opera of Chicago or Grant Park Music Festival https://my.grantparkmusicfestival.com/donate/contribute1. Rago Brothers, 773-276-7800 www.ragobrothersfuneralhome.com.