Judith Lee Cavcey

Judith Lee Cavcey, 88, long time resident of Longmont, Colorado, passed away on Friday October 10th, surrounded by family at her Longmont home. She joined her late husband, Ken, in heaven on his birthday.

Judy was born to Daniel and Sibyl (Riley) Barthel in McPherson, Kansas August 21,1937. After moving to Jefferson City, Missouri as a child and during grade school she enjoyed Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Rainbow Girls, golf, piano and softball. She especially enjoyed attending sporting events with her father, traveling to Kansas City or St. Louis to watch professional baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals were her lifelong favorite team and Stan Musial her favorite player. She grew up listening to Harry Carey and Jack Buck on KMOX St. Louis. Judy graduated from high school in 1955, after which she attended the University of Missouri – Columbia where she earned her BS in English. During college she met a young man in her calculus class. Candidly stated by Judy herself later in life, she had “pretended” to need help when in truth she was better at calculus than he was. It was that college class that sparked the budding relationship which resulted in Judy marrying her beloved husband of nearly 40 years, Kenneth Cavcey. He preceded her in death in 2001.

After graduation Judy attended nursing school. Once she received her nursing cap, she took a job at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine where she worked as a microbiologist for 25+ years. She loved her work, her colleagues, and Mizzou. Judy had grown up in the presence of numerous cats and dogs, so her position at the School of Veterinary Medicine only served to magnify her love of animals and over the years added adopting additional cats, dogs, along with guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and a chicken to the family. Her love of sports continued throughout her life with Mizzou, the Cardinals, the Broncos, the Rockies, the Avalanche, and the Nuggets being her favorite teams for whom she was an avid fan and watched many hours of games. She was once given a game of sport Trivial Pursuits, but she knew all the answers on all the cards, so it really wasn’t much of a game!

After moving from Missouri to Colorado she and her husband joined Central Presbyterian Church. Judy said that during her working years she did not have time to volunteer, so in retirement she wanted to do just that. It was the church where she learned of a space where help could benefit her new community through volunteering. Her goal was realized when she came upon the OUR Center where she was active for close 40 years. It was truly a space that she held close to her heart, and again, loved all those she served as well as those she worked around who believed as she did. Judy was always an advocate for those that had little, versus those who had much. She also often gave friends rides to appointments and activities stating that she helped others as she hoped others would help her later in life.

Judy was a devoted wife and mother and treasured her immediate and extended family. She is survived by her sons Stuart (Karen) Cavcey of Michigan and Michael (Suzie, proceeded Judy in death) of Colorado; grandchildren Amanda (Zachary) Fisher of Missouri; and Morgan (Ryan) Kubert of Kansas; Sandi (Jon) Pastore, Emma (Kevin) Dehner, Luis Cavcey, and Matthew Cavcey of Colorado; and nine great-grandchildren Dottie, Ruby, Eli, Rosie, Poppy, Nora, Luca, Leighton, and Harper. She will be greatly missed and remembered with tremendous love and admiration.

We love you Mom!

Judy’s Celebration of Life will be held at Central Presbyterian of Longmont located at 402 Kimbark St, Longmont, CO 80501 on Sunday November 16 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations on Judy’s behalf can be made to the OUR Center at ourcenter.org or send to 220 Collyer St., Longmont CO. 80501.