Judith Arlene Krauss

July 3, 1939 – June 18, 2016

Judith Arlene Krauss: Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Faithful Friend, Avid Reader, Great Cook, Dresser of Boo-boos & Comforter of Sorrows, Lover of Dogs, Beaches, Comfy Beds & Coffee, passed on to Eternal Life on Saturday, June 18, 2016.

Judy was all of these, but “Mom” was the term that gave her the greatest Joy & Pride. Universally loved and regarded, Judy displayed a compassionate and caring nature to all she met, and a great love and devotion for those she cared for. But she was also capable of Old Testament style wrath and ferocity toward anyone she perceived as a threat to her beloved family: A true lioness in the defense of those she loved.

Judy was born on July 3rd, 1939, into a large, extended bilingual Italian/American family in Dayton, Ohio. And although she lost the ability to speak Italian, she never lost the Italian love of extended families, laughter, and cooking, skills which would come in handy later raising and feeding 6 boys. End of week meals were always a challenge, awaiting payday grocery shopping on Friday. Stretchers like pasta, soups and casseroles were the rule back then, and remain favorite comfort foods for all her children. “Buttered sugar bread”, “toast in milk” or “coffee soup” were tasty and imaginative bare pantry meals.

Judy married William Krauss on June 28, 1958 and they shared their lives for the next 47 years, until Bill’s passing in 2005. Together they raised 6 boys, and perhaps spent their happiest times together during the “Farm Years.” In early 1974 they purchased an abandoned old farmhouse, lacking central heat, plumbing and anything close to level floors and sealed windows. Everyone was certain that raising 6 rambunctious boys had cost them their sanity, evidenced by the purchase of the 19th century ruin rising from the overgrown weeds and brush. It turned out to be the sanest decision of their lives. For the next 26 years, Judy and her family lived a real life Green Acres reality. She would give all the animals names: Mary the Cow, Babe her calf, Bambi—the demonic Angus, Henny Penny, Mama Kitty, Peep and The Rooster. Animals that were fortunate enough to be named, could be assured a long life, as no one wanted to have Henny Penny for Sunday dinner. I remember the time neighbor dogs struck, killing all the chickens. Including Henny Penny. For Mom it was like losing family. She wept openly, and it took some time for her to get over the event. The Rooster never returned to the coop, but rather took up residence in the lilac bush next to the house.

Judy & Bill became entrepreneurs in the late ‘80’s, purchasing a country store—later to be known far and wide as The Ithaca Mall. Judy ran the day to day operations of the store while Bill continued to work at GM. Having spent her entire life dedicated to her family, she finally had an independent external outlet for her energies. She loved that store….

Retirement also brought wonderful times for Judy & Bill. Married young, they also retired young. Their fondest times were the winters spent in Port Aransas, Texas, where they made wonderful and lifetime friends. Bill was content to spend the winters there, but Judy always felt the gravitational pull back to Ohio—back to her boys and family. She never remained in Texas for the full three months; always finding some reason to cut short the season, and return to where her heart lay: Her Family.

And that was her life. Her purpose. For Judy, her family & friends were the world, her riches. For those who were blessed to have her in their lives, it is a lesson and purpose to be treasured.

Judy is at peace, and reunited with Bill, her Mom & Dad and her Sister Jean. She is survived by her 6 Beloved Sons and their families, 13 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren, numerous Nieces & Nephews and Dear Friends too plentiful to count.

Judy continues to watch over and shower us all with her love—while playing Hand & Foot with Jesus and all the Saints, as Neal Diamond plays in the background.

requiescat in pace

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Hospice.

Order of Service

Friday, June 24, 2016

11am-12:15pm: A gathering for friends and family will take place at Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Ave. Kettering, Ohio.

1:00pm: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Emmanuel Catholic Church, 149 Franklin St.

Dayton, Ohio.

Following the service, friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate Judy’s life at the home of Chris and Ann Cunningham, 7840 Millerton Dr., Centerville, Ohio.