Judith M. Sternberg

Judy was born on the 4th of July, 1922 in Redbank, New Jersey to Harry Y. Smith and Helen Coleman Smith. Her childhood was in her own words “happy and carefree” and she enjoyed those times with her parents, younger brother Dick and the beloved family dog “Terry”.

Judy’s parents encouraged her to pursue a practical career doing secretarial work but she wanted to be a nurse and despite her parents urging she entered Monmouth Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and successfully completed her course of study in 1944. Her passion was to support the war effort and she subsequently joined the army as a military nurse eventually earning the rank of lieutenant.

As God would have it, while stationed at a military hospital in Seattle, she would nurse Adolph Sternberg back to health as he recovered from malaria he contracted in the jungles of the Philippines. Judy and this Silver Star war hero would eventually date, fall in love and get married on December 7, 1945 in San Diego, California. Their marriage was one of unrequited devotion and endured until his death in December of 1987.

Judy was a natural in her role as a military officer’s wife but perhaps her proudest accomplishment was raising three handsome sons (Neil, Gary, and Mark). She went back to work as an emergency room nurse at Riverside Community Hospital as the boys neared college age to help them pursue their educational goals.

During retirement, Stern and Judy enjoyed many years of traveling across the US in their camper visiting family and friends as well as taking several cruises and traveling abroad.

Shortly after her husband’s death Judy made the decision to move to Air Force Village West so she could enjoy an active social life among fellow military colleagues. She spent the remainder of her life actively involved in several women’s groups including the Retired Military Officer’s Wives club.

Judy will be remembered as a vibrant, witty, and loving friend, mother, and grandmother with a quick sense of humor and a joy for living. She is survived by her three sons: Neil (Deanne), Gary (June), and Mark (Debbie) along with her grandchildren: Drew, Tyler, Alex, Haylee and step-grandson Jack.

Judith will have a funeral service on Friday, June 28, 2013 at Air Force Village West followed by interment at Riverside National Cemetery.