Judith Marie Stern

Judith Marie Stern, 75, of Grand Rapids, died on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Although she had experienced chronic illness for years the end came suddenly. Her daughter, her son-in- law, and her beloved husband were at her side when she was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven. Judy was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Looker, father Paul Looker, and brother Norman Looker who was lost too young during the Korean War. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 11 years Edward Matuszak, daughter Rachael Eerdmans (Karl), grandsons Augustus and Leonidas Eerdmans, sister Ethel Hayes, nephew Stephen Hayes (Jessica), nephew Robert Hayes (Michael Goldblatt), nephew Kurt Hayes (Kelley), extended family including the Ressel women, and many friends whose lives she has touched deeply. Judy and former spouse Walter Stern were married for 30 years, so she will also be remembered as Aunt Judy by those nieces and nephews and the extended Stern family. A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Judy only moved to Michigan in 2018 to be closer to her daughter and grandsons after her retirement. Ed and Judy lived on the same street as her daughter and family and spent the last four years enjoying this gift of time and proximity. During the last few years, as Judy’s health deteriorated, she was blessed to have Edward as a caregiver and companion. Being Ed’s wife, Rachael’s mother, and Augie and Leo’s grandma kept her life busy and her heart full. Before her retirement Judy spent her days working for Wisconsin Judicare as a staff attorney providing legal aid, mostly to women who were victims of domestic violence. Before that she spent many years on the bench as “Judge Judy,” a Family court commissioner for Walworth County, Wisconsin. In her early days as an attorney, she was in private practice with her former husband and a colleague at The Law Offices of Stern, Cavalli, and Stern. In all her professional roles justice was her guiding light. Judy was a true activist, which started with her social work education and background as a group home parent. A true child of the 70’s, she held tight to those hippie ideals and even passed them on to her daughter. Besides her family and fighting for justice Judy loved horses, being on stage, and playing cards. One of her happiest horseback memories was being asked to play horse soccer for a demonstration at the Midwest Horse Fair in 2013 with her husband Ed. She spent many a weekend as a horse show mom and then later as a barrel racer herself, with the reins in one hand and a vodka gimlet in the other. Whether it was singing in the church choir, doing community theatre, or late-night karaoke, Judy could be found with a microphone in hand (and still that gimlet in the other). She always had a deck of cards in her purse to pass the time. This love of card games was learned from her mother, Ruth. She enjoyed solitaire but even more she enjoyed playing with a partner so she could win, and ruthlessly win she always did (and if not, you definitely cheated). Judy’s own words can bring those missing her much comfort in the wake of her death; “Things will be different. Things will change…but afterward we will once again fill our hearts with love, joy, and gratitude over this wonderful life we get to live.” We are holding a graveside service at 2pm on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Washington Park Memorial Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI. Afterwards we will raise a glass and welcome visitors (please contact Rachael for details). This will be a small and simple way to mark the passing of a woman whose life was anything but small and simple. We know many will be celebrating Judy’s big life in spirit and that attendance Thursday does not reflect the impact Judy had on your life. Sharing your memories will bring those who love and miss Judy much joy. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite cause that supports justice, theatre, music, kidney disease/diabetes research, or horses.

Tributes

Judith Marie Stern

November 20, 1947 - December 22, 2022