Judith Weiser Lundelius, age 94, of Austin, Texas died April 22, 2024, after a brief illness. She was a devoted daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. In addition, she had wide-ranging interests, from her scientific work in genetics to collecting natural history prints.
Born January 7, 1930, during the Great Depression, Judy was the only child of George Weiser and Nettie Wolf Weiser. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High
School.
Judy attended the University of Chicago, where she studied geology and paleontology and earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. While at Chicago she met Ernest Lundelius, Jr. of Austin, Texas, a fellow student in the Geology Department; they married in 1953.
Judy spent her early married life traveling with Ernie to Australia and Europe, doing field work and research into paleontology. After brief stays in Perth, Australia and Pasadena, California, Judy and Ernie settled in Austin where Ernie became a professor in the Geology Department at the University of Texas, and she worked as a researcher in the Zoology Department for over 30 years.
In addition to her scientific work, Judy devoted herself to raising two children, to caring for her elderly relatives, and to her interests in literature and natural history art. Throughout her life, Judy enthusiastically embraced a love of learning, books and music which she strongly impressed upon her children and grandchildren to their great benefit.
Judy enjoyed entertaining and corresponding with a large network of relatives, friends and colleagues in Austin, and all across the the United States and the world. She hosted Thanksgiving dinners, backyard keg parties and official functions for visiting scientists and graduating students.
Her home in Austin was a veritable hostel for visitors who needed a place to stay. All were welcome, and, from time to time, when all the bedrooms and folding beds were full, visitors were accommodated with a sleeping bag on the living room floor. All occasions were imbued by her warmth, generosity of spirit and sense of fun.
Judy is survived by her husband, Ernest Lundelius, her children Jennifer Welch (George) of College Station, Texas, and Rolf Lundelius (Ann) of Great Neck, New York, and her grandchildren Glenn Welch of Austin, Texas, Samuel Welch of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Olivia Lundelius of Bayside, New York.
A graveside service was held by the immediate family on April 27 at Austin Memorial Park.
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