Judith Anne Brodkorb Tschorn Groover

Mrs. Groover was born on March 12, 1940 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was the daughter of the late Dr. William Pierce Brodkorb of Gainesville, Florida who was a world renowned avian paleontologist and the late Edna Vivian Carleton Brodkorb.

Judy lived most of her life in Gainesville, Florida where her father was a professor at the University of Florida. She graduated from Gainesville High School in 1958 and attended the University of Florida and graduated from Howell's Business College in Gainesville, Florida.

Judy worked as a secretary until she married her first husband, Donald Edward Tschorn who preceded her in death. She had two daughters, Deborah Teresa Tschorn Coutant (Jerry) from Columbia, South Carolina and Cynthia Maria Tschorn Stokes from Gainesville, Florida. She had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She had four cousins from Utah, California, Idaho and Oregon and one paternal cousin from Missouri. She had many friends from Gainesville, Florida and Columbia, South Carolina. She also had a nephew and his wife and one great-nephew and niece from Melrose, Florida and a wonderful sister-in-law from Keystone Heights, Florida. Judy never met a stranger and loved all people, races and ethnicities.

In 1976 Judy had to go to work to help support her family and was hired by American Greetings Card Company where she worked as a merchandiser for eleven years. Judy quit work to take care of her mother and father who lived in separate locations in Gainesville.

Judy moved to Columbia, South Carolina in 2005. She was a member of The Basilica of Saint Peter.

Judy was preceded in death by her second husband, Daniel Albert Groover, the soulmate of her life. They loved each other for forty-three years and were married in 2016 for four years and five months.

Judy had many interests and hobbies from shell and fossil collecting, religious arts, antiques, reading, bird watching and feeding. She spent many hours decorating her home. It was an eclectic museum of art, statues, and furniture that she spent a lifetime collecting. She enjoyed thrifting and antiquing with her dear friend Jocelyn. They went all over South Carolina and North Carolina to all the small towns.

Judy had a massive library with all kinds of books. She also wrote many poems and on her birthday in 1958 she presented Robert Frost with her first poem as he was leaving a talk at the University of Florida of which she attended. Robert took the poem with him to his hotel and later sent it back to the head of the English Department who then passed it on to her father. On the poem he wrote, "Seen by Robert Frost". She also sent one of her poems to the then Pope John Paul II on his birthday in 2004 and he wrote back how much he had liked it in a beautiful letter. The poem was by far she thought her best work," Upon That Mountain Top". Judy has requested that it be read at her funeral.

Judy gave to many charities and sponsored children from India and Mexico for forty years with Christian Children's Fund. She enjoyed television, crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble. Her favorite shows were Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, The Lawrence Welk Show, Alaskan Bush People, Steve Irwin Show, The History Channel, Antique Road Show, The Young and The Restless, The Bold and The Beautiful, LIVE with Kelly and Mark and The Learning Channel.

Judy's favorite place was Montpelier, Idaho where her maternal grandparents, aunt and four cousins lived and as a youth she spent many summers of which she cherished visiting them. Her second favorite place was Sanibel Island, Florida where she went for over twenty years with her daughter and sister-in-law and dear friend Darlene. Her third favorite place was Savannah, Georgia where she traveled often in the 80's.

A funeral mass for Mrs. Groover will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday December 30, 2024 at The Basilica of Saint Peter, 1529 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC. The Very Reverend Canon Gary S. Linsky, V.F. officiating. Burial will be in Saint Peter's Catholic Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in Judy's memory to The Basilica of Saint Peter, 1529 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. E-mail [email protected] for more information regarding donations.

Milan Funeral Home in Gainesville, Florida and Dunbar Funeral Home - Dutch Fork Chapel in Columbia, South Carolina are assisting the family.

(Obituary written by Judy Groover several years prior to her death.)