Judith Brauer Kromer

JUDITH BRAUER KROMER



Born December 9, 1941

Died January 29, 2025

Judith Kromer (nee Carrier, formerly Brauer) died suddenly at her home in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 83. She lived a long, full life.

Judy was born in Carbondale, IL to Halden and Sophia Carrier. Along with her brother Bob, Judy spent her childhood in Decatur, IL. After one year at St. Teresa High School, Judy's family moved to Cleveland, OH where she graduated from Lourdes Academy in 1959. Another move for her father's career took the family to Michigan, where Judy graduated from the University of Detroit.

While at U of D, Judy met and later married Arthur Brauer, with whom she had four children. They made their homes in Detroit and later Farmington Hills, where Judy lived for 30 years before moving to Beverly Hills, MI. In 2012, following divorce and the later death of her first husband, Judy married Bruce Kromer, whom she had known since college. Judy spent the remainder of her retirement years at her home with Bruce in Phoenix, AZ. Bruce was with Judy when she passed away.

As the mother of four sons, Judy devoted her life to raising her children. This included not just homemaking but also the role of primary parent in all of her children's school, sports and other activities. It was a labor of love, the memories of which Judy cherished for the rest of her life.

Afterwards, Judy had a career in the insurance industry. She worked for many years at Maccabees Life Insurance Company, and finished her career at Action Benefits, both in Southfield, MI. Judy made many friends there, and continued some of those relationships into her retirement. Judy also had great friends from her early adulthood, and cherished those lifelong friendships.

Judy was a happy, social, engaging woman who loved music, movies, reading and writing. Her love of traveling included trips to Europe and all over the U.S. Judy enjoyed attending theatrical and musical performances, and even worked at the Fisher Theater to see the shows there.

Judy maintained a strong Catholic faith throughout her life. She was active in community groups, and did volunteer work at several churches and a funeral home.

Judy dearly loved her sons and grandchildren. She took great comfort, and pride, in her relationships with them. Judy also enjoyed lifetime relationships with her extended family, especially some favorite aunts and cousins. She loved reunions and get-togethers, and keeping touch with family.

Judy spent her last years settled into a quiet lifestyle in Phoenix with her husband Bruce. This included plenty of eating out, particularly at their favorite restaurant Randy's, and reading by their pool.

Judy is survived by her husband, Bruce Kromer; her brother Robert (Jamie) Carrier; her sons David (Beth), Matthew (Amy), Marc (Allison) and Jeffrey Brauer; seven grandchildren: Nicholas, Claire, Hannah, Jacob, Sophia and Gabrielle Brauer, and Robert (Maira) Emperley; two great-grandchildren, Robert and Theodore Emperley; her niece Margaux (Kelsey) Christensen; and her nephew Vance (Sara) Carrier. She was grateful for the people who touched her life, and will be dearly missed.

A funeral to celebrate Judy's life will be at 11:00 a.m. on March 8, 2025 at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, 32340 Pierce St., Beverly Hills, MI. Visitation beforehand, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.