Judith Kurtz, 83, died on April 14, 2023, after a long, heroic battle with RA. She was surrounded by her family including her devoted caregiver and great-granddaughter, Allisson Renee, who was her constant companion for the last 5 months of her life. She is survived by two sons, Duane Silano (Cindy) and Gene Kurtz (Lynn), and two daughters, Robin Jenkins and Donna (Allen) Smith. She leaves eight grandchildren: Amanda, Gene, Kimberly, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Matthew, and Jordan, twelve great-grandchildren, a brother, Phil (Peggy) in Pennsylvania, a sister, Donna, in Florida, and a grandpuppy, Jack-Jack, who was her four-legged bestie. She will be missed by her nephews, Russ and Rick, who were also her neighbors and a daily part of her life. Judy also leaves behind beautiful friendships: Robin B., Barb, Karen, and Mari all showered her with love and were like daughters to her.
Judy was pre-deceased by her parents, Freda and Dante, her beloved son, Danny, and her husband, Gene, who in life and death was the man of her dreams. Their love lasted 50 years on earth, and she continued to love him with her whole heart after his death in 2010.
Judy's grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her heart with immeasurable love and helped heal her heart after losing Gene. She was the quintessential caretaker and loved nothing more than to rock a cranky baby to sleep, dress them, bathe them, feed them, or do whatever needed to be done. She loved spending time with her older grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. Until her later years, you could find her doing whatever she could to help at any family function and running errands for anyone who needed her help.
Judy spent much of her younger days working 2-3 jobs at a time. She's been a waitress, a data entry supervisor, and a payroll clerk, and worked plenty of side jobs, but whatever she did she showed up on time, gave 100%, and did her best not to complain. She was always the hardest worker in the room. As a child she dreamed of being a nurse, but she traded that dream for motherhood. She volunteered wherever she could: Roosevelt High School clean up with SouthLake Church, Greenacres Farm Sanctuary, baking snacks for church service, or cooking "dinner with the pastor" for a new church plant. Judy was a fabulous cook!
Judy was a little lady who leaves a giant hole in the lives of her friends and family. She was greatly loved by many and will be thought of and missed every day.