Judith Sylvia Buerlein

1947 - 2025

Judith Sylvia Buerlein

May 3, 1947 - January 6, 2025

Judy was a remarkably good, kind and loving person with an amazing personality that was completely out of this world. But the time had come for her to leave us on January 6, 2025, when she slipped the surly bonds of Earth and was chosen for the Greater Glory she so richly deserved.

Judy was happiest when giving to, or doing something for, someone else; serving others was the guiding theme of her life. She was such a warm, kind and selfless person, with a love of all of God's creations. She would light up a room just by walking into it, bringing her bright aura of friendship. As one of her friends said, "She was such a pistol!"

She was always concerned about the welfare and happiness of those around her, never about herself. Hers was a life of Christian dedication (she read devotions every morning) and the constant celebration of others. She personified the word love, always giving more than she received.

A 1965 graduate of John Marshall High School, her radiant personality led her to being elected vice president of the student body, sweetheart of the Key Club, and president of her sorority. Next, at Averett College, she was president of a group that composed half of the student body, and she played the lead in the senior play. Then, she earned her Master's Degree in Education at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In June of 1970, she and Robert A. "Bob" Buerlein married, after six years of dating and friendship.

Judy's calling was teaching in the inner-city of Richmond, especially those who had fallen between the cracks. One of her students was a 92-year-old man whom she taught to read; she felt he deserved recognition, but none was available. So, she created a "G.E.D. Equivalency Award," which she arranged to be presented by the Mayor at City Hall in a City Council Meeting, with the story and student's photo across the front page of the Richmond newspaper.

Many students frequently assigned to Judy were deemed to be unruly, with no sunshine in their lives. Through her warmth, she opened those long-closed curtains and, in so doing, changed the course of many young lives; she was a remarkable teacher of the otherwise "unteachable." She even taught two semesters in the Women's Section of the Richmond City Jail.

When Judy and Bob would travel around the city, they would occasionally run into her former students who were employed there because Judy vouched for them, when no one else would. They would commonly exclaim to Bob, "Ms. B. was my favorite teacher!"

Judy was petite in stature (five feet tall), which added to her charm, with the heart of a giant. But, as one of her teenage students told a class newcomer, "She may be short, but you don't want to mess with her!"

She was an active member and leader of many organizations and clubs, including at her church, Second Presbyterian, where she served as head of the youth group and was the first president of their Child Care Center, which was the first in downtown Richmond. She was also president of the Capital Women's Club, dedicated to serving others.

While humble in nature, Judy was also quite popular; she never met a stranger and enjoyed socializing, laughing, and dancing with countless friends from many different avenues of her life.

The brightest joy of Judy's life was raising her three sons. She was their biggest cheerleader. She poured her heart and soul into their lives, getting to know and love their friends, never missing an event, always volunteering, substitute teaching at their schools and attending their sporting competitions. She led by example and constantly taught her boys to do the same. As her three sons concede, raising them (and their rambunctious friends) was no easy task, but, as she did with everything in life, she managed this with grace and endless patience.

Judy and Bob enjoyed their trips together, especially to England, and to their river cottage. She spent many of her childhood summers on the York River, which cultivated her life-long love of sitting on a pier and crabbing. Another major highlight of her life was their annual vacation with their complete family to Nags Head. Her kind, caring spirit and vibrant personality made her a terrific grandmother to her seven grandchildren, who were the highlight of her life and called her "JuJu."

Despite the progression of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Judy always maintained her beautiful smile and her charismatic charm.

Now, celebrate our times with Judy and remember the joy and light she constantly brought to the many lives she not only touched, but impacted, just by being her. She has gone home to the Eternal, in the arms of the many of those she served while she was here for her 77 years. Bob summed up her life in his eyes, "She was the best person I have ever known."

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Alvin Phillip Sylvia; mother, Pearl Mitchell Sylvia; and two older sisters, Barbara Doggett and Jacqueline White. She is survived by her husband, Bob; three sons, Wyndham (Amy), Austin (Shelly), and Ross (Katelyn); seven grandchildren, Kayton, Chase, Jackson, Brady, Brooks, Tess, and Hayes; sister, Patricia Signorelli, and brother-in-law, Doug Buerlein (Randi).

The family will receive friends at Bliley's (Augusta Ave.), on January 16, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. A service in celebration of Judy's life will take place at Bliley's, at 12 p.m., on January 17, 2025, with internment at 1:45 p.m., at Westhampton Memorial Park (Patterson Ave.). Condolences may be sent to RAB1776@gmail.com.

As our friend, Bette Shiflett reflected, "She's gone to Heaven, where she'll be the brightest-shining angel of them all."

Bliley's Funeral Home

3801 Augusta Ave