ROCHESTER, NY:DECEMBER 29, 1944 – MARCH 31, 2020
It is a time to morn, for the Lord has taken Judith, in the arms of Jesus, on March 31, 2020 at age 75 in the Palliative Care Unit at Strong Hospital after a life long battle with diabetes and kidney failure.
Judy is predeceased by her parents Glen and May Olson of Staples, MN. She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Frank A. Cicha, Rochester, NY; step daughter Cheryl R. Cicha, Alpharetta, GA; sisters Marlyis Carpenter, Fridley, MN; Dee (Palmer) Norling, Willmar, MN; Barbara (Richard) Day, Jacksonville, FL and several nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Staples, MN, Judy graduated with honors from Staples High School. She became a registered nurse when she graduated from the Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN and continued her education obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN; a certificate in Chemical Dependency Administration from the University of Minnesota; a Master of Arts degree from St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN and a certificate in Geriatric Studies from St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY.
Professionally, after 16 years of service, she retired from DePaul in December, 2010 as Vice President of Quality Assurance and Risk Management. Prior to that, she worked at East House Corporation, Rochester, NY; Riley and Van Hillyer Consulting Corp., Minneapolis, MN; Granville Corp., St. Paul, MN; Texas Commission on Alcoholism, Austin, TX; U.S. Army-Civilain Personnel Addition Services, Stuttgart, Germany and the Anoka State Hospital, Anoka, MN. Her long career spanned two continents and several states, always leaving behind people who were forever blessed for having known her.
She was a natural teacher, mixing education and humor. She taught at St. Mary’s Junior College of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN; Hennepin County Alcohol Center, Minneapolis, MN, Chanhassen Center, Chanhassen, MN; and Anoka State Hospital, Anoka, MN. She was also a Sunday School teacher at the Edgewood Free Methodist Church, Brighton, NY.
Judy was described as an intelligent, generous, bright star in a dark world who always had time to counsel those around her, never divulging confidences and always leaving those she touched with the feeling that they had been truly blessed to have known her.
A member of many organizations such as Rush-Henrietta Rotary, GRAPE, NAMI, and Monroe and Genesee County Mental Health Associations, she brought insight and leadership to any task she tackled. She was on several organization boards including Agape Counseling Center and Eagle Star Housing were she retired as Chairman in December, 2019.
In addition to her interest and membership in the MAG and RPO for several years, she was an ardent fan of the Lumber River Quartet form Lumberton, NC.
Through all her trials of health, especially her fight with advancing kidney disease and diabetes, Judy remained strong. With her deep faith in the Lord, she walked through life as a beacon of hope and love, never complaining of the pain that accompanied her on her journey. Toward the end of her life, Judy often commented that Jesus was holding her hand. Shedding tears just reminds us that she has gone to the place she always wanted to be.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Donations in her name may be sent to:
Edgewood Free Methodist Church (www.edgewoodfmc.org
Eagle Star Housing http://eaglestarhousing.com/donations/donate/)
The Palliative Care Unit at Strong
(www.urmc.rochester.edu/home-care/hospice-care/donations.aspx)
Judy qas indeed a brigjt star, a beautiful soul and a wonderful friend
She was also a magnificent role model…her courage as she dealt with so many health issues, her deep faith and her kindness will remain with me forever. Especially her kindness support and help during my husband’s long illness.She was such a.blessing to all of us.
I am so very sorry to learn of Judy’s passing. I met Judy (and her husband, Frank) while serving on the Board of East House. What a delight she was! Cheerful, helpful, and so committed to helping those in need. She was a good soul whose presence in this world will be missed. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
I will so miss my dear friend of 36 years….truly the sun will shine less brightly without her.
God knew exactly what He was doing placing Frank and Judy in the front row at Pearce Memorial during their 5 PM Service. Of course He did – seating us directly behind them Oh what dear friends Frank and Judy became! Such love and care they gave each other! So many moments of laughter…. how she will be missed.
Without Judy, I would not have memories of laughing during coffee chats, intensely praying before church service for others, sharing Thanksgiving and many meals together. And of course, celebrating her birthday with the Lumber River Quartet! What glee was in her eyes that night!
The most important gift Judy gave me was showing me how to become a prayer warrior, starting with fervently lifting up Owen. That gift forever changed the course of my Christian walk and permanently etched the name of every family member on my heart, loving her family as my own. Prayers will continue to be lifted up, in her memory, for all of them.
May God comfort Frank and the all her family and friends who can’t wait to see her again with our Lord.
Frank, I was so sad to read of Judy’s passing. She lifted me up and pushed me forward more than once during my career, even when she wasn’t a big fan of my methods!!
She was like the ever ready bunny, and I just never believed her batteries would run out of juice……She always had a way of making you believe you could accomplish anything, particularly if it was a horrible task that she assigned you!!?! Her QM team were more than just employees, we were family. She was so worried when my son went off to college in Michigan, she insisted on giving me contact info for all her family there in case he needed something. And we can’t forget her ill fated attempt at match making,… but the dinner was great! I was so glad to cross paths with her again when she paid a visit to my retirement job. It was like no time had passed at all when we started talking!
That was Judy’s way for sure. And now I trust she’s setting up a place for all of us to get together again someday!