Judyth Arko

1935 - 2024

Judyth (Markey) Arko

1935 - 2024

Judyth (Markey) Arko, 88, passed away peacefully February 23, 2024 in Santa Maria. She was born in Altadena, California June 19, 1935. She was a beloved mother, wife, talented pianist, and devoted member of the Catholic Church. Judyth had the privilege of attending St. Dominic's Girls Academy in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduation, she attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial school in New York and later moved to Pasadena, California with her mother and sister Jayne in 1955.

In 1956, she married John P. Markey at St. Elizabeth's Church in Altadena where she'd been baptized as a baby. She and John moved to Santa Maria with their first two children, where they raised their family of five children: Sue, Patrick, Timothy (deceased in 2005), Peggy, and Anna. They also had a son Sean Phillip who died during childbirth.

Judyth and John celebrated their 40th anniversary in Ireland.

After John Markey passed away in 1999, Judyth married a longtime friend Ignatius Matthew Arko in 2000. Matt and Judyth went on to enjoy 17 years of marriage before his passing.

She worked as a secretary and office manager for Fitz-Gerald Realty for 16 years and later moved on to complete her secretarial career with Kirk and Simas law firm. Additionally, Judyth enjoyed teaching Religion as a CCD teacher at St. Mary's Elementary School for 19 years.

Judyth was an accomplished pianist and brought music to so many over the years: She played for family and friends, at the Mussell Senior Center, the AAA Senior Care Alzheimer facility, loved playing Irish music for her longtime friend Cecilia Fitz-Gerald, and most recently played the piano weekly for the Merrill Gardens community, when she would often dress up to celebrate holidays and as her favorite persona Pink Delight. In her words, Judyth considered her life a 'musical journey'.

Judyth is survived by her remaining children Sue (Brian) Ellefritz, Patrick Markey, Peggy (Tom) Hickman and Anna (Carlos) Noguiero. She has 7 grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her sons Timothy and Sean, her husband John, and second husband Matt, as well as sister Jayne (Hinderliter) and brother James (Anderson).

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis De Montfort Church March 7, 2024 at 10am, followed by a graveside burial service in the original section of the Santa Maria Cemetery. Contributions can be made in her name to St. Mary's Elementary School where all five children attended. We will miss her dearly.

Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Sympathy notes and words of support may be expressed at www.magnermaloney.com.