Judth Ann Larson Uknavage

(1941-2008)

Judy came into my life in 1970, the year she married my dad. It was a rough year for me and I can’t honestly say that I remember the first time I met her or even if I did meet her before I headed west from Illinois to Colorado with my husband and son, trying to start a new life in Boulder. She and Dad married that summer, he on the rebound from a twenty-two year marriage to my mother. Judy was just twenty-nine years old and Dad was fifty. They met at Gala Lanes Bowling Alley in Bradley, Illinois, and we used to laugh about how it seemed our whole family found love at Gala Lanes since that’s where my mom met her next husband too. I think my brother may have met his wife there too, but I might be imagining that part.

Judy and Dad lived in a pretty brick home on Entrance Avenue in Bradley for many years and then he retired from Ford Motor Company in Chicago Heights and they decided to buy a motor home and move to Arizona. I don’t remember what year that was but I know they were out there in 1977 when my mother died. Living out of a motor home and driving that big rig on the highways soon grew old and they moved back to Illinois.

Judy owned a duplex in Bradley and she probably owned the house in Momence that they moved into eventually. It had a big yard where they grew awesome tomatoes and sunflowers and shared their home with several cats. I’m sure my perspective on those years they spent in Momence is skewed because I saw it from afar – Colorado – and through the letters and cards we exchanged over the years. I hope they had some fun, some good times. I think they did. But they had their problems too and in October of 1994 the marriage ended after twenty-four years of trying to make it work.

For the next fifteen or so years Judy lived in Momence, in that turn-of-the-century home on a quiet street next door to her sister. She worked at a convenience store, volunteered with the VFW, drove her pickup truck, enjoyed her family, lived a good life. Although, technically she wasn’t our stepmom anymore she never missed a beat with her kind words, Christmas cards, Fannie May candy, and phone calls to stay in touch.

In March of this year I saw Judy for the last time. My sister, brother and his ladyfriend, and I drove from Chicago where we were gathered for our niece’s wedding reception, to Momence to visit Judy at her home. She proudly showed off her newly remodeled kitchen, and she made us welcome as we sat around her living room and talked of old times. We had a pizza in its opened box sitting in a chair and Judy’s cat made a flying leap right onto the pizza, a one-foot landing, then disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Judy threw her head back and laughed that hearty, husky laugh she was famous for. That’s a memory I’ll hold dear for a long time.

As often happens at a time like this, on the day I lost my stepmom, I’m flooded with regret – regret that I didn’t let her know how much she meant to me, regret that I wasn’t a better friend to her when she and Dad were having so many problems, regret…….But most of all I’m grateful that I knew her and loved her and have so many good memories of her. My sister wrote of Judy today in an email ” I never once heard one negative remark from her.” Wow! What a fitting comment that is about Judy and the way she lived her life. Imagine a world in which that could be said of each of us. Unfortunately, Judy is the only person I know like that.

Goodbye, Jude.

I'm shocked.  I knew of her ongoing health issues but didn't expect this. :(

I still sleep every night with the strawberry shortcake blanket she made us

years ago.  I will remember Grandma Judy as a very kind woman with a fun

laugh who loved cats and played a mean game of euchre. :)….Aimee

So sorry to hear the news. Seemed really sweet in my few memories. I was just a toddler then however…..Kelly

As most of us know, Judy was a great person.  I never once heard one negative remark from her.  I do remember she used to sneak behind her parents barn and smoke with me.  She must have been in her 30's or 40's then, and still sneaking cigarettes.  She was quite a gal….Fran

My times spent with Judy were few and were mostly centered around family reunions and the like, where there was always a lot going on.  I'll remember her for her kindness to all of us and for her knack to put Grandpa Joe in his place with a quick remark when he was feeling a little too feisty ;-)   She was a sweet lady…..Patrick

 I lived with Dad and Judy there on Blaine for 3 or 4 months after I got out of the Army in Aug '70.  She was always very nice to me and so patient with Dad, too, because he was still recoiling from his divorce and ranting and raving about that on a daily basis.  We all know how he could rant and rave!  Judy was a saint to endure all of that, because it sure was ugly!  She put up with the both of us, although she was rather shocked the night that Dad and I got into a fist-fight right there at her dinner table.  I moved out that night.  She had a big heart, and I liked her laugh, too….Mike

Hi everyone, very sorry to hear about the news. I like hearing all the stories about her though.. I don't really remember grandma Judy, except maybe at family reunions.. I wish I had the chance to know her better... My mom remembers her and dad playing cards w/ grandma Judy and grandpa- she said everyone always had such a good time..

Hang in the everybody…Lisa

Jim and I will also be going to the services.  I sure regret not bringing Jim to meet her - she would have liked Jim.  I liked Grandma Judy's sense of humor and her unrepentant lust for Patrick Swayze.  :)

Thanksgiving was always a holiday we celebrated with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Judy, sometimes with a totally traditional meal, sometimes substituting big fried chicken eggrolls for turkey.  Always with green bean casserole and celery-and-squeeze-cheese-and-olive appetizers by Aimee and me.  We would finish up with pie and a round of euchre. 

Often we would call Grandma Judy on a Sunday morning. Their phone made that weird ring on the line that was more of a squawk.  She would let us know if G. Joe was in good form for a visit.  We'd pick up a Helen's pizza on the way up and sit around and chit-chat about books and relatives and stuff.  Then sometimes we would play euchre, or Oh Hell which allowed for more players.  Most of the time Aimee & I would just observe or watch TV, but sometimes I would get to sub in for Mom.  I remember that Grandma Judy did not like being trumped by me, especially since G. Joe would cackle and say "way to go Rachee!"

Lots of other Momence memories too of feeding the ducks on the river, homemade sassparilla at the Pioneer Days on Island Park, and getting showered with flying hard candy at the Gladiola Festival Parade.  I remember a big backyard bbq next door at Bev's with G. Judy's neices and other family, but I don't know the occasion.  I think there were berries in the yard tho…Rachel

I remember playing euchre and eating Helen’s pizza as well. :)  Okay mainly I remember eating pizza and watching everyone else play euchre.  They would pull a tall stool in from the kitchen so that I had a fun place to sit.  I remember all of Grandpa Joe’s smartassy but amusing card playing commentary.  “You’re really suckin’ hind tit” was a favorite. :)  We lived in the country and so of course we didn’t have cable.  Grandma Judy would record MTV videos for me onto VHS tapes so that I could watch them at home.  She also made me the awesome angel costume complete with gold wings and halo that I wore in my 1st grade Christmas pageant.  I remember her making Rachel and I “doll babies” for Christmas one year.  That was during the Cabbage Patch Kid craze.  Rachel and I didn’t have any so Grandma Judy bought these doll heads that looked very similar and sewed bodies for them.  She sure was a thoughtful lady..Aimee

Judy’s obituary from Cotter Funeral home - http://www.cotterfh.com/

Judy Uknavage, 67, of Momence, IL. died on Monday (October 6, 2008) at Provena St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, IL.  She was born on June 14, 1941 in Grant Park, IL., the daughter of Truman and Ruth Thompson Larson.  Her husband Joe Uknavage preceded her in death.

Surviving are one brother and sister-in-law: Dean and Carol Larson of Grant Park, IL.  One sister: Beverly Larson of Momence, IL.  Step-children: Pam and Robert Russell, Mike Uknavage, and Fran Uknavage.  Two nieces: Cara Larson of Momence, IL., and Colleen and Mario LaGesse of Kankakee, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one step-daughter (Kathy).  She was retired from the Momence Park District where she was the receptionist.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Momence, where she taught Sunday school and sung in the choir.  She was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxilary where she held many offices and was active in the Bingo program.  Mrs. Uknavage was also a member of the American Legion Auxilary.  She served as a member of the Momence Park District Board.  She also was a multi-gallon blood donor, enjoyed watching girls MYSA softball, reading, using the computer, and loved cats.

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