Mary Jean Judge

Mary Jean Judge

(née Cunnea)

Age 95 of Frankfort, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at home surrounded by family.

Born January 13, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, Mary Jean was a daughter of John Wilbur and Georgia (Kirtland) Cunnea. She was raised in Chicago; attended St. Thomas the Apostle Grammar School in Hyde Park; graduated from Aquinas High School, and went on to earn her Nursing degree from St. Bernard School of Nursing. Mary Jean was proud to have been a Nurse Cadet at the conclusion of World War II.

On November 4, 1950, Mary Jean married Peter Bissett Judge in St. Philip Neri Parish in Chicago, and together they made a home and raised a family. With the exception of taking a sabbatical of being home to raise her children, Mary Jean had a life long career in nursing. She held positions for various Chicago area hospitals, and lastly worked in a physicians office before retiring. Throughout the years Mary Jean was active in Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish in Chicago before moving to Dolton, where she was a parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church, and participated in the St. Jude Players. Mary Jean taught ceramics out of her home for 30 years, and that was just one of her vast talents. She was an accomplished artist who enjoyed oil painting, making lace and spinning wool. In addition, Mary Jean was a talented seamstress, and took pleasure in various handiwork and doll making. She participated in several craft shows including the Frankfort Fall Festival, and after the age of 65 took the opportunity to travel both domestically and abroad.

Survivors include her children: Robert (Patricia) Judge, Kathleen Judge (Bradley) Sweeney, James (Sheryl) Judge and Daniel Judge, all of Frankfort; her daughter-in-law, Karen Judge of New Lenox; (11) grandchildren: Heather (Patrick) Kane, Michael (Andrea) Judge, Kate Judge, Kelly Judge (Matt) Crisman, Melissa Sweeney, Erin (John) Sharkey, Colleen (Joe) O’Connell, Bradley Sweeney, Michelle Judge, Kristen Judge and Peter Judge; (10) great grandchildren: Thomas, Samantha, Graham, Emma, Addy, Maura, Shea, John, Raegan and Jack, and three siblings: Dolores (the late Dr. Gene) Voltolina of Palos Heights, Jack (Sharon) Cunnea of Orland Park and Sharyn Davis of New Lenox.

Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband Peter in 1979; son, Thomas, and siblings: Betty Ann (Elden) Weber and Jayne (Fred) Emody.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street in Morris on Saturday morning, January 8, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of funeral service 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Jason Stone presiding and assisted by Deacon Paul Jung. Masks will be required by everyone attending the visitation and service.

Mary Jean will be laid to rest in Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Morris, Illinois, alongside her late husband and son.

Pallbearers will be: Michael Judge, Peter Judge, Bradley Sweeney, Patrick Kane, Matt Crisman, Joe O’Connell, John Sharkey and Thomas Judge.

Due to the current COVID restrictions, a public celebration of Mary Jean's life is being planned for a later date.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Mary Jean’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photos and share Mary Jean’s Memorial Page online through social media by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/MaryJean-Judge

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris, Illinois. (815/942-2500)