When you love someone you freely give them a piece of your heart. So although when my Nana passed away a piece of my heart died with her, a piece of her heart is still and will always be alive in me.
When my grandmother was born Julia H. Houk at home on February 24, 1924 in Edmeston, New York life was no picnic. If there had been a picnic she wouldn't gotten to sit down and enjoy it because as the only daughter she probably had a lot of work to do. Although she was the baby so she was probably doted on by oldest twin brothers Gilbert and Hubert and also by middle brothers Larry and Frank.
She leaves behind a long line of adoring fans starting with her only daughter Jackie (Smith) and husband Mike (Dunklebarger). Jackie gave the world my eldest brother Jonathon then Jeremy, daughter Janine (myself) and younger brother Jason. We added a younger brother Andrew to round out the brood. Judy is also survived by 4 great grandchildren including Jason's boys Spencer and Owen, my daughter Sasha and Drew's baby girl Mia.
Judy graduated from Edmeston Central High School and then attended the University of Albany. She then joined the Navy WAVES during WWII where she was a radio operator. While stationed in Maryland she met and married her first husband, Arlo Clifford Smith (Jackie's dad). When he passed away they relocated to Edmeston where she worked at the First National Bank of Edmeston for many years. This is where she met her second husband Ansel Cooley. Together they moved to Centre Hall, PA where she watched her family grow. When she retired from working with the IRS they spent many years travelling. They made their American dream come true when they were snowbirds in a second home in Spring Hill, FL.
She eventually settled with my brother Jason, his wife Gina and their boys. She shared time there and with my parents in Mechanicsville, VA. Thankfully not long before she passed most of us got together to enjoy a family weekend together.
Judy passed peacefully at home surrounded by love and family. She passed on September 16, 2016 at the age of 92 with her teeth, sense of humor and mind intact. She will have a small graveside service on November 18 at 10 am in the Union Cemetery in Edmeston. Please visit www.never-gone.com/memorials/JudyCooley.