Our dear Judy passed away January 23, 2011,after a short battle with liver cancer. Judy was born on February 16, 1932, in Pixley, CA, to Mary and Manuel Marez. She moved to Gilroy as a young girl. Gilroy was her favorite place,she loved Gilroy and the people who lived there.
Judy’s first job was with Western Union, delivering messages on her bike, which was perfect because Judy never drove a car. Most people remember Judy always riding her bike.
Anyone who knew Judy could always expect a joke or two. People who knew her would come up to her and say,”Judy where’s my joke”,and she would always have one for them.
In July, you could always find Judy at the Garlic Festival and if there was a class reunion, Judy was there with camera in hand. She was an avid Mickey Mouse collector,she made Disney cut out characters and decorated her whole patio with them, it was like you were in Disneyland. She also collected marbles, newspaper clippings, coins, stamps,and postcards and many other things too numerous to mention.
After Judy’s partner, Lonnie, passed away in 2006, she became a phone pal to family and friends, always with a happy, positive, and encouraging word to help make their day better. Anytime someone needed a hand you could depend on Judy.
She was a house painter for some 30 years and always put in a hard day’s work. In the last few years she would make memory cards for family and friends of weddings, funerals, and birthdays. Judy would put her whole heart into those projects and gave them from her heart to be enjoyed.
Judy was a wonderful aunt and dear friend to many. She will truly be missed.
Thanks to Gilroy Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Hospice for their care and treatment of our aunt Judy, it was truly appreciated.
A special thank you to June Caspary, Diane Fragie, Barbara Gonzales, and Yvonne Charvez for the special care they gave Judy in the last days of her life.
Judy was preceded in death by her partner of 40 years, Lonnie Smith (2006),her parents Manuel Marez (1988), and Mary Marez(1984),her sisters Emily Charvez (1969),Helen Cassilas(2005),and her brothers Jerry Guerrero (1972),and James Marez (1986).
She is survived by her sister Mary and brothers Tony, Jessie, Larry, and David Marez, dearest cousin Trinie Manzo, many nieces and nephews, and special long time friends Mecca and Karen Shurden, Lila Spratt, Diane Fragie, Dorothy Aries, Debra Smith, and Gretchen Vandenburg.
Graveside services will be at Saint Mary’s Cemetary, February 26,2011,at 12:30 P.M. A Memorial will follow at United Methodist Church,7600 Church St., Gilroy,CA,at 1:30 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judy’s name to the American Cancer Association or Hospice Association. Thank you.
