Judy Mekker's Obituary
Judy Mekker, 74, of Liverpool, passed away peacefully Monday, surrounded by her loving family. She joins her first born son, Michael Joseph, in the arms of our heavenly Father.
Judy was born July 24, 1939 in Cleveland, OH. She was the daughter of Frank and Irma Schalkey. On April 12, 1958, Judy and Frank, Sr. married and moved to San Diego, CA where Frank was stationed at Miramar Naval Air Station. In 1962, they moved to Baltimore, MD for 4 years before reaching their final destination in Liverpool, NY.
In addition to raising her ten children, Judy also held positions at Ames Department Store, Marine Midland Bank and General Dynamics (San Diego). She also ran a successful home bakery that supplied baked goods to GE CSP-5. Judy’s love of travel inspired her to become a travel agent and also the secretary for Women in Travel.
Judy and Frank shared the same dream: to visit every National Park in the United States. They managed to visit 48 out of the 58 NP’s located throughout the 50 states plus many national monuments. Cruising, hiking, camping and being outdoors was shared with their children throughout their 55 years of marriage.
Judy devoted much of her time to several charitable organizations. As an avid member of Christ the King Parish, she served on the church council, was a Eucharistic minister and taught Special Ed CCD. Judy was a founding committee member for FISH of Liverpool. She also volunteered to cook for Meals on Wheels.
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Frank Sr.; daughters, Susan Woodruff, Theresa (Ken) Bertsch, Heidi, Grace (Bob) Amodie and Iris (Jeff) Stein; sons, Frank Jr. (Rosa), Chris, Mark (Halyna), Zac (Shannon) and Luke (Carolyn); 30 grandchildren; sister, Karen Plank; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 18th from 4 to 7 p.m. in the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Road) North Syracuse. A Memorial Mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 19th at Christ the King Church located at 21 Cherry Tree Circle, Liverpool, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Judy’s name to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org), 6725 Lyons Street, PO Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or to the National Park Foundation (nationalparks.org), 1201 Eye Street NW, Suite 550B, Washington, DC 20005.
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