Judith "Judy" Elyea's Obituary
Judith “Judy” Elyea, age 71, of Grand Haven went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 11, 2011, at a local care facility. She was born October 30, 1940, in Grand Rapids to Victor and Martha (Wondergem) Katz.
Judy had worked as a realtor for Sherman Realtors in Marshall, MI. She loved life and embraced it enthusiastically, which was evidenced by her many and varied hobbies, including canning, decorating, painting, gardening, clowning, reading, singing, playing organ and piano, and listening to music, especially country and gospel. She also loved sewing, dancing, making crafts, collecting antiques, and flower-arranging, and she had a unique appreciation for the wonders of nature, from the colors of autumn and the joy of a rainbow to the first snowfall and the beauty of a sunset or sunrise. She loved the beach and the water and was fond of sun bathing, swimming, and water skiing. She also enjoyed baking and was known for “cooking up a storm” and her delicious soups, stews, chilis and more. Judy possessed a special gift of hospitality, always making others feel special and providing encouragement. She never met a stranger and loved to share her friendly smile and a warm hug. Most of all, she loved and cherished the time she spent with her family.
Judy will be forever loved and missed by her life partner, Paul Elyea of Spring Lake; her four daughters: Kimberly (Dean) Wolfman of Georgetown, TX, Jill Douglas of Spring Lake, Jody Craig of Nunica, and Jennifer Craig of Spring Lake; ten grandchildren: Jennifer, Kammie, Jacob, Benjamin, and Gracie Wolfman, Brandon (Jen) Baty, Austin Douglas, Amanda (Anthony) Valentia, and McCulla and Macie Kosch; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Penny (David) Crandall of Brevard, NC, and Tammie Sanders of Muskegon; and three brothers: Robert Snyder of Dowling, MI, Benjamin Sanders of Muskegon, and Greg Sanders of Denver, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and M. Joyce Sanders.
A memorial service and celebration of Judy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 18, 2011, at The Journey Community Church (6502 Schamber Dr., Norton Shores, MI 49444). Memorial contributions in honor of Judy may be given to Love INC – Grace’s Garden (1106 Fulton St., Grand Haven, MI 49417). Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
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