Judith E. Gerard

1944 - 2017

June 17, 1944 – March 29, 2017

A bright light was extinguished all too soon. Judith Elaine Gerard – Judy to one and all – died of non-smoker's lung cancer, at her home in Mill Valley, Calif., while her loving husband, Jay DeRoy, held her hand. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Judy's family moved to Pennsylvania, where she grew up in Erie and Edinboro.

As an adult, Judy lived for more than 20 years in Washington, D.C. before moving to the Bay Area in 1984. Her professional life took her on many roads, from nursing school to flight attendant, to shopkeeper and ultimately into health education. Until illness forced her to retire, she worked for the past 18 years as the project manager for the Thunder Road Tobacco Cessation Training Project in Oakland, Calif. She was also a longtime yoga practitioner, and taught classes to her devoted yoga students through the adult education program at Mt. Tamalpais High School. Judy was a vibrant, compassionate soul who tried to make the world a better place. She was a great listener and had great insights. Those who knew Judy would surely describe her as an aesthete: she loved art, color, textiles, flowers, literature, beautifully presented food, animals and nature. She was grateful for the opportunity to travel with Jay to India, Africa and throughout the U.S.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mildred and Joseph Gerard, and her two sisters, Barbara (Bobbie) and Susan.

Along with Jay, Judy leaves behind a large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins: Sara Kemp, Barbara Boik, Fritz Gingenbach, Nancy Skidmore, Barbara Armour, Michael Kemp, Erich Kemp and Alice Kemp. Her surviving dear friends also include Barbara Flogaus and Pat Holland.

Ten percent of lung cancer patients are non-smokers. Judy was one of the unlucky ones. In remembrance of Judy, donations may be made to The American Lung Association.

A private celebration of Judy's life will take place in June.

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