JUDITH ANN MAUZAKA

1951 - 2015

MAUZAKA, JUDITH ANN June 5, 1951 – May 15, 2015 Judith Ann Mauzaka, our beloved mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, sailed away from Branford Hospice in the early hours of May 15th to rest in eternal peace. Born in New Haven to parents Ewald and Jane Mauzaka, Judy was the loving and devoted mother of Walker Drew Strong and wife of Thomas Strong. Sister of Patti Rubino (Dan), proud aunt and godmother of Sara DiPaolo (Michael), and Ross Rubino of West Chester, PA, and cousin of Cindy Mauzaka of Branford. Judy was adored for her free spirit, kindness of heart, and courage and strength to take on any challenge before her. Judy attended public school in New Haven and West Haven. In addition, she was a proud graduate of both the University of Hartford in 1976 and UConn School of Law in 1982. Judy was an attorney at Weinstein, Weiner, Ignal, Napolitano & Shapiro in Bridgeport, CT, where she first met her dear life-long friend Richard Shapiro. Judy’s proudest achievement of her legal career was the role she played in resolving the Tracey Thurman case, a ruling that led to mandatory police intervention in cases of domestic violence. The protection of women following this case was a never-ending source of pride for Judy. Between college and Law School, Judy served as a Vista volunteer in Eastern CT, where she formed an endearing friendship with soon-to-be UConn classmate Kathy Eldergill. Judy lived life full of passion and vigor. A lover of all things adventurous, Judy took part in over thirty-five annual long-distance bike and camping trips throughout North America and Europe with classmates and other adored friends. Always in tune with her sense of inner peace, Judy reaffirmed this calm with annual yoga retreats to Maho Bay, St. John’s, in addition to family trips to Annisquam, Cape Ann as guests of Chris and Esther Pullman. Judy will forever be cherished for her love of nature, life, and selfless care of others. We all love and miss her more than she’ll ever know. Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions for a commemorative bench at Edgerton Park, in Judy’s honor, may be sent to: www.edgertonpark.org. To sign the online guestbook please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.