Judy Ann Bader

Judy Ann Bader (née Schwartz), of Roseville CA, passed away peacefully after a brief illness, on September 13, 2025, with her family by her side. She was 86 years old.

Judy was born on March 14th, 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa, to Robert Emmett Schwartz and Genevive Barbara Walker at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital. She moved to the Santa Monica area when she was 4, where her father was working on efforts for the war. She recalls V-E Day, V-J Day from their home in Santa Monica when she was in 2nd and 3rd grades at St. Paul's. After the war, she and her mother returned to Dubuque briefly, before the family settled in Sacramento. Judy was very close to her mother's family, many of whom also settled in Sacramento after the war. Judy's mother died in a tragic accident when Judy was 9, and she and her cousin Hilary, who were only a few months apart in age, grew up like sisters. Judy moved with her father and step-mother to Davis when she was in high school, where she graduated from Davis High in 1956. Judy met Harvey when he was a graduate student at UC Davis, and they were married September 1, 1962. Judy worked in the math department on campus until shortly before Leslie was born. After Eric was born, Judy and Harvey moved back to Sacramento where Judy enjoyed her role as a mother to 2 small children. Over the years, she volunteered at their schools, was a Blue Bird/Camp Fire Girl leader, chaperoned trips for Sacramento Youth Band where Eric and Leslie spent many years playing and marching, cheered at baseball games, attended band concerts, and drove the old green station wagon around town to visit extended family. She also volunteered at the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home during this time. When the children reached high school, Judy returned to school to earn her LVN, followed quickly by her RN. Judy worked as a nurse in the dialysis unit for many years, eventually training patients who were receiving the new "peritoneal dialysis". Judy retired from nursing once the grandchildren started arriving, and relished her new role as "Granny". Granny was a fun-loving grandmother, who enjoyed planning fun activities with her grandchildren. From camping at Ice House to cable cars in San Francisco, bowling to high teas, Hawaii to Alaska, cheering rugby to dance recitals, Granny was up for it. All of her grandchildren have special memories of their times with Granny and Papa. When her first great-grandchild Cora arrived, Judy was thrilled to be able to help babysit once or twice a week, where the next generation got to know "Granny". These special days with Cora were definitely some of the highlights of the past 6 years, along with the arrival of great-grandson Levi, and proudly seeing grandchildren marry.

Judy's family was the light of her life. She is survived by Harvey, her loving husband of 63 years, two children, Leslie Kerrigan (Chris) and Eric Bader (Stephanie), six grandchildren, Brandon (Julie), Perry (Cassidy), Nicholas (Erin), Emily (Will), Elizabeth, Sam (Brianna), two great-grandchildren, Cora & Levi, nephews Eric and Lee Watson, cousins Hilary Woodworth, Mark Bettenhausen, Tom Schwartz and sister-in-law Marilyn Watson. She was preceded in death by her parents (Robert and Genevive Schwartz) and brother (Randall).

Services will be planned for at a later time.