Judy Pace
11/28/1933 – 9/15/2024
Judith Cadigan Pace passed away peacefully on September 15, 2024, two months shy of her 91st birthday, in Tampa, FL. Her daughter Dawn (Stutzman) Khalil was by her side while her three other children, Paul Stutzman, Laurie (Stutzman) Romei, and Mark Stutzman communicated their goodbyes to her by phone in her final hours.
Judy, born in Northampton, MA on November 28, 1933 to Charles and Elizabeth Cadigan, grew up in Bloomfield Hills, MI and Amherst, MA. She graduated from Simmons College in 1955 and married her high school sweetheart, Guy Gifford Stutzman (1931-1991) in the same year. Together, Judy and Giff raised four children who were all born within the following four years (1956-1960). Judy managed to settle her young family into multiple new homes and communities across the United States as Giff’s career developed, from CA to PA to MI to TX – finally settling in Huntington, NY in 1970.
Judy was the consummate hostess to friends and family, no matter where the family settled. Throughout her entire life, she enjoyed an active social life with friends made through newcomer associations, volunteer activities, church, bowling, golf, tennis, and bridge groups. Judy knew how to throw a party whether the occasion was a holiday or birthday or graduation or wedding or just because.
While her children were young, Judy spent time volunteering in school literacy programs helping students who struggled with reading. After settling in Huntington, NY she became a successful business partner with Giff at Dunhill Personnel for 16 years.
In 1992, Judy relocated to Florida where she married Roger Pace (1929-1997) in 1994. Here, Judy delighted making new friends with Roger, hosting new parties, playing golf and bridge, and being near her daughter Dawn and youngest grandchild Danny who she regularly championed from the sidelines of all his sports activities. Judy’s other children and grandchildren lived across the U.S., and she enjoyed visits to each family regularly.
When asked as a young girl what she wanted to do when she grew up, Judy once claimed she wanted to be an “airline hostess.” Judy loved to travel, and although she never became an airline hostess, she was able to enjoy many an international tour or cruise or expedition later in life with her long-time friend Norman Becker. The world was their playground from 2005 until 2016 when Judy’s health began to decline. Still they managed to enjoy time together dining out or attending concerts and theater performances at Ruth Eckard Hall in Tampa.
Judy will be remembered by her family and friends as a woman who lived life to its fullest until her health and memory prevented her from doing so. She was vibrant, vivacious, fun-loving and outspoken – she will be missed.
Judy is survived by her children: Paul Stutzman and his wife Heidi of Oregon; Laurie (Stutzman) Romei and her husband Regan of New Jersey; Mark Stutzman and his wife Susan of California; and Dawn Khalil of Florida. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Landen (Romei) Zernickow and her husband Richard; Kaitlin (Romei) Standridge and her husband Duncan; Molly Stutzman; Matt Romei and his wife Malenca; Hope Stutzman; Hannah (Stutzman) Long and her husband Bob; Hayley Stutzman, and Daniel Khalil; as well as three great-grandchildren: Arthur and Benjamin Zernickow; and Adira Standridge. Judy is also survived by her younger brother Richard Cadigan and his wife Linda of Texas as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In accordance with Judy’s wishes, a celebration of her life near Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine is being planned in 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to LifePath Hospice (www.chaptershealth.org/foundation/lifepathhospice-donation), Ruth Eckerd Hall Annual Fund (www.rutheckerdhall.com/support-membership/make-a-donation), or a charity of your choice.