Judith K THORPE

2 JUN 1941 - 30 OCT 2017

• BIRTH: 2 JUN 1941, Logansport, Cass, IN
• DEATH: 30 OCT 2017, South Bend, IN

1.  Jeffery H GRZEGOREK
2.  Michael Dean GRZEGOREK

INDEX

[N17950] Judith K. Grzegorek
June 2, 1941 - Oct. 30, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Judith K. Grzegorek, 76, passed away Monday, Oct. 30th, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family, close friends and her pastor when she passed. Judy was born June 2, 1941, in Logansport, IN, and grew up on an egg farm in nearby Starke County. That is where she developed her love of all animals from dogs and cats to piglets and horses. She graduated from San Pierre High School. She was a lifelong resident of Indiana and also lived in Colorado for several years until returning here in 1978. Her parents, Harold C. and Irene I. (Noble) Thorpe, preceded her in death, as well as a son, US Airman 1st Class Jeffrey H. Grzegorek, who died at the age of 19 as a passenger in a car accident in Goldsboro, NC, in 1981. She is survived by her son, Michael Grzegorek, daughter-in-law, Kim, granddaughter, Breann (Devin) Grzegorek-Johndrow, grandson, Jeffrey D. (Chelsea) Grzegorek, and great-granddaughter, Mollie Ann Grzegorek, all of Walkerton. One of Judy's proudest moments was witnessing her son Mike being elected and sworn in as St. Joseph County Sheriff, and she worked tirelessly on his campaign. She was interested in many political races and helped other candidates, although she never ran for office herself. She contributed her time and talent to organizing and decorating various community events, including the annual St. Joseph County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. She brought fun and style to every function. That gift led Judy to one of her favorite jobs as an event planner at The Homestead 1835 in New Carlisle. Judy had a fascinating resume. She was a phlebotomist at the South Bend Medical Foundation, where she later worked as a Medicare billing specialist. During her years in Colorado, she was a dental assistant and was a hostess at a popular resort. At the top of Judy's resume was being a mother and raising her two sons, and later being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed family time and often said there was no better job than being a mom. When Judy's oldest son Jeff passed, she often wondered why he was taken from her. In time, she realized that her grief gave her a special insight into life. She directed that energy to helping and inspiring people. There was no better friend than Judy Grzegorek. One of Judy's greatest gifts was her generosity of time and resources to helping others in a crisis. She listened intently and then went into action. If she couldn't find a solution, she contacted a friend or friend-of-a-friend who could. Judy was a miracle worker. She was nicknamed “the glue” because she held a lot of projects together. She was a “doer.” Her pastimes included cooking tasty meals and doing crafts, especially if it included glitter. It was a favorite decorating material and became a beloved family joke. She loved animals, babies, her family, her friends and making memories. Judy attended the South Bend Community Church. She organized firearms training classes for women in St. Joseph County and co-founded the Greene Township Women Gun & Garden Club. Visitation is 2-8 pm on Thursday, Nov. 2nd, at Hanley & Sons Funeral Home, 23421 State Road 23, South Bend. Funeral services are 11 am Friday, Nov. 3rd, at the North Liberty Church of Christ, 65225 State Road 23, North Liberty. There is a private entombment at 11:30 am Saturday, Nov. 4th, at Riverview Mausoleum, South Bend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; and Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Rulan Asdell who performed CPR until paramedics arrived. That precious gift gave family and friends the extra time to be with Judy until God welcomed her home. The HANLEY and Sons Funeral Home handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to Judy's family and friends. Condolences may be expressed online through our website: www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhomes.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Nov. 1, 2017