Judith M. Guckian, a terrific wife, wonderful mother and loving grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on the morning of 20 August 2020 at age 73. For eighteen months, she struggled with a debilitating stroke, numerous hospitalizations and two rehabilitation facilities. Judy, as she preferred to be called, was born in Springfield, OH on 08 February 1947 but called Homestead, FL her hometown having arrived there with her husband Pat in 1986. In 1993 they moved to Port Saint Lucie where she resided until her death. Judy was a member of and loved St. Andrew Lutheran Church. She and Pat have a blended family of five children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Judy was a vivacious person with bright hazel eyes, a warm smile, an impish sense of humor and a definite flare for cooking. She attended business school after high school and went into banking for a short time, was a secretary in Syracuse, NY for a brief time but her career was most closely associated with the military, first in Japan with Navy Special Services, where she and Pat first met. From 1976 to 1982, she was an expediter/purchaser for Sprague Electric involved in DOD contracting. After Judy and Pat married in 1982 in Norfolk, VA, the couple was transferred to London, England. There she worked for Navy Purchasing for a brief period and then became the Executive Assistant to the Fleet Civil Engineer (SEABEES) for Commander, Naval Forces Europe dealing with all construction for Navy and NATO commands in the European theater. Upon transfer to the U.S. in 1986, she worked briefly for the U.S. Air Force Purchasing Department in Homestead and before being selected for the position of Special Security Officer with the Naval Security Group Activity, Homestead where she was responsible for personnel security and clearances for Navy and Air Force personnel at Homestead. She was retired with credit for 20 years of civil service following Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In 1993 she and Pat started a marine surveying business where she answered the phones, cajoled clients, booked appointments and generally kept the business on an even keel all the while fastidiously maintaining her home and enjoying cooking. They finally retired in January 2019.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, David and Kathryn Funderburg of Tavares, FL and is survived by husband of 37 years, Pat, daughters, Dani Ricks (husband David) of San Angelo, TX; Jen Borkowicz (husband Joe) of Baltimore, MD; sister, Vicki Slaughter (husband Dave) of Maineville, OH; step-daughter, Amy Shilliday of Austin TX, step-sons, Robert Guckian (wife Suzy) of Selma, TX and Alan Guckian (wife Nikki) of Austin, TX; granddaughter, Cassie Geurin (husband Matt) of Butte, MT; granddaughter, Brandi Narivanchik (husband Adam) of Baltimore, MD, grandson, Tristan Guckian and granddaughter, Hunter Guckian of Austin TX, great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Geurin and great-grandson, Kaleb Geurin of Butte MT, plus numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
