Judith Marie Sables

Judith Marie Sables, aged 82, a beloved and much cherished mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away suddenly on March 22, 2020 in Naples Florida. She was battling cancer and suffered a fatal heart attack.

Judy was born in Detroit, Michigan, and from her early days of life was her own person with a sharp mind, quick wit, beauty, elegance and intelligence. A trailblazer in many respects for her time, and a shining star to those who knew her. 

She grew up in Grosse Pointe with her parents, Rose and Andrew Stefani, her three sisters; Joan, Mary Lou, Gigi, and her brother, Andrew.  As a child you could find her spending time with her siblings and creating teenage mischief.  Being a true Michigander and water girl, she loved to swim and fish from an early age. 

Her beauty and style acumen were quickly scouted when she won a trip of a young girl's dreams, sponsored by the J.L. Hudson Company, at 15 years old to travel to New York City and dive into the business of fashion.  The trip included a stay at the Waldorf Astoria, lunch at the famous Stork Club, a visit to Radio City Music Hall, and a personal meeting with Ed Sullivan. The event was covered in the Detroit Free Press in a large spread.  As member of the "teen fashion panel", she was a natural beauty who exhibited fashion flare and elegance. She was quoted in the paper as saying, "We like fancy pants la velveteen and faille too..."  which bodes no good for blue jeans, the reporter remarked. 

Judy wasn't just a pretty face though as academics came easily to her.  She was always a star student, with little effort it seemed.  She maintained that she could focus best studying in a busy diner with lots of activity and noise around her as stimulus.  She attended Grosse Pointe (South) High School and went on to excel at the University of Michigan.  Upon graduation from U of M, she decided to pursue a career in law,  and was the only woman to graduate and receive her law degree from Detroit College of Law in the class of 1962.  

Her father had a career change later in life and also pursued his law degree, graduating just before Judy did from Detroit College of Law.  The father and daughter duo set up a practice together. 

The same year Judy graduated from law school, she married Dr. Ronald Jerome Sables.  They spent some time in Maryland and Virginia where Dr. Ronald Sables' work took him, and also where the couple started a family.  Judy continued her legal career, ran for judge, and went on to have four children which they raised in Grosse Pointe Shores.  

The mother of four was strong minded, opinionated, and could not sit still.  Her mind ran circles around most other people, and she loved to share her knowledge and opinions.  A good debate around a table was relished by her and she thrived off conversation.  

She enjoyed building businesses, and dabbled in commercial enterprises including a retail clothing store,  investing in property, vintage estate jewelry and the stock market.  And, she always loved a bargain.  She approached life like an explorer, always curious to find new places to visit and discover. Mexico was a favorite regular destination, when it was considered exotic. She enjoyed travelling the world with her husband, sister, brothers-in-law, friends and family.  She also could appreciate a good musical and had season tickets to the Fisher Theater where she and her husband would enjoy the latest show.

Judy was a delicious cook and not surprisingly, Italian was her specialty.  She insisted that her cuisine was better than any that you paid for in a restaurant and she probably should have opened her own restaurant.  

As well as a collector of facts and knowledge, she was a collector of things and dogs.  The house always had a four-legged animal in residence and often it was a rescue dog.  As far as collecting things, it was mostly antiques and vintage estate jewelry.  She would regularly visit markets, including the many in London, and have personal relationships with vendors globally. She could wax lyrically, and with great knowledge, about the various designers, Kenneth Jay Lane, Miriam Haskell, Trafari.

She loved discovering property and one of her cherished places, which she made a home for her family, was a house on beautiful Torch Lake, Michigan.  On the shores, she created a lake house that became a summer home for her children, friends, cousins and anyone else who wanted to enjoy the pristine waters and long lazy Northern Michigan days.  There, she enjoyed swimming to her delight, and taught her children to water ski and appreciate the beautiful setting.  A favorite activity of her's was getting to know the local farmers in Northern Michigan and taking her children and grandchildren cherry and berry picking.  

Her winters were spent in a warmer climate than Michigan, at the beaches of Naples, Florida.  She became a loyal friend to a group of people who waited with anticipation for her arrival at the beginning of the winter season.  "Judy's back, Judy's back, Judy's back!" was the gleeful refrain that her close friends at the condo complex would cheer when they saw her walk down the hall.  She was an active member of the condo association and always wanted to know what type of fish people were catching at Naples Pier. 

While she could be very direct and generous with her knowledge and opinions with all who would listen, she had a very compassionate side, helping those without the resources to help themselves.  She was an advocate for those who needed a helping hand and did what she could to enable them with a better future.  If they needed an income, she would try to find them odd jobs and work around her own home or businesses  Perhaps driving the ice cream truck she decided to purchase and run as a commercial venture, or helping with the yard work around the house.  She was the customer who rode in the front of the cab with the driver and would ask them about their lives and story. And, she really cared about them.

She was loved by her seven grandchildren, with some referring to her as "Big Grammy".  Partly due to her big personality, but they had a "Little Grammy" as well.  

Later in life, she loved watching old movies on television that recalled a more glamorous world, and game shows, too.  She was miffed at the value of Vanna White who got paid a small fortune to touch tiles on the Wheel of Fortune.  And, she became fascinated with her own ancestry taking the DNA test and finding out who long lost relatives were.  

Having fun, laughing, discovering, telling stories and a good debate.  She was a woman who lived life with panache, a full life.  Whether it be exploring the markets for unique pieces of estate jewelry, travelling the world with her husband, debating a legal point, throwing her head back with laughter and making her opinion known, she made an impression with her audience.  She was a star that continues to shine bright.

Judy was the beloved wife of the late Ronald Sables, and mother of Jean (John) Weston, Stefanie Sables, Laura "Lori" (Jerry) Leber, Ron (Elaine) Sables, loving Grammy to Kathleen, Emily, R.J., Elle, Andrew, William and Grace.  She was cherished sister to the late Andrew Stefani, Joan Ferrara, Mary Lou Staricco and Gigi Gryzenia.

A celebration of life service for Judy will be held at a later date. 

Memorial donations, in Judy's name, are appreciated to the Rose Hill Center, 5130 Rose Hill Boulevard, Holly, MI 48442, or to the Capuchin Father's, 1820 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit, MI  48207.  

Please share your memories of Judy at her guest book below.