Judith Ann Sommer

1940 - 2018

Judith Ann (Judy) Sommer 1940 - 2018
HERKIMER - Judith Ann (Judy) Sommer, age 77, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Valley Health Services, Inc. She had the comfort of knowing her loving family was at her side during her passing.
She was born on November 28, 1940 in Ilion, daughter of the late Bernard and Freida Fralick Miller. A lifelong area resident she was raised and educated in Stratford.
On November 12, 1960, she was united in marriage to Charles Edward Sommer in the Herkimer United Methodist Church with the Reverend Fred Cotnam officiating. They shared a devoted union of 57 years until his passing on March 11, 2017.
For over twenty years she worked as a nurses aide in Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, retiring in 1995. Mrs. Sommer was member of the First United Methodist Church of Herkimer/Little Falls. She had a strong sense of community and enjoyed doing for others. Her many community involvements included a lifelong and founding member of MOVAC, a member of VFW Post # 4915 Ladies Auxiliary and Herkimer American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary; she also helped with the Local American Red Cross Blood Bank and the Herkimer Food Pantry. Her relaxation time was spent at camp at Black River and Black Lake, listening to old country music and playing games with the children.
She will always be remembered as a strong woman who was not afraid to take on any challenge. She was the support for her husband, seven children and grandchildren, always there for them in good, bad and in-between times. Judy will always be remembered as a true and loyal friend with a unique ability to sense their needs. She was ever ready to lend a helping hand without being asked and looking for nothing in return. She will be sadly missed by many friends and family, especially her cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Surviving are four sons, Mark Sommer and his wife, Deborah, of Herkimer, Robert Sommer and his companion, Lori Latt, of Cedarville, Bernie Sommer and his wife, Becky, of German Flats aned John Sommer and his wife, Tracy, of Mohawk; three daughters and their husbands, Sharie Wainwright and husband, Michael, of Herkimer, Danyel Everson and husband, John, of Mohawk and Rebecca Henkle and husband, Scott, of Yorkville; a sister, Gertrude Bellinger, of Greenfield, OH; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and cousins, including special cousins, Tom Miller, of FL, Dave and Loretta Atkins, of Herkimer, Paul and Barbara Davies, of CT. Besides her parents and husband, Chuck, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Lawrence Miller; and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Sommer
Calling hours for Mrs. Sommer will be on Monday from 3:00- 6:00 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Funeral service will follow immediately after at 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Joelle Faulks, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls officiating. Interment will take place, later this spring, in Oak Hill Cemetery, at a time to be announced.
Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Hospice and Palliative Care. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the First Floor and Second Floor East staffs for the care and compassion shown to Judy during her stay at Valley Health Services.