November 04, 1943 - October 20, 2020
McOwen, Judith Ann (nee Bierce) of Stockton, California passed away on October 20, 2020.
Judy was a beloved mother to Michele and Joseph Ward of Concord, CA; Michael and Joyce McOwen of Ramsey, NJ; Kevin and Mary McOwen of Broomfield, CO. She was a special and dear grandmother to Bryan Webb; Sean, Kelsey and Robert McOwen; Casey and Olivia McOwen; and one great grandson Cole Webb. She is survived by her sister Pamela Wiese and nieces Karen Ewing and Wendy Pierce. She is predeceased by her parents, Duane and Margaret Bierce.
Judy was born November 4, 1943 in Washington, D.C. into a military family during World War II. Her father Duane (Bud), a Chief Warrant Officer in the Navy, had the family on the go as they traveled from place to place and country to country. She attended high school in Japan for several years before coming to Stockton to finish her schooling.
At 17, she met a Navy enlisted man from the East Coast and at 18 eloped to Nevada. They would stay married for 34 years and raise the three children that followed. Judy dedicated her life to her children and their many endeavors were never without her cheerleading and support. She was an amazing and caring mom and put her needs and desires second in many aspects. She always knew the right thing to say, or not to say, as she guided her grateful children through their formative years.
To know Judy was to love her; she was a socially vivacious spirit and could spark a conversation with anyone at any time. Leaving Stockton for Mahwah, NJ in the mid 1970’s; leaving many friends was simply a chance to expand her social circles to include yet more life-long friendships, now on both coasts.
Moving back to Stockton in the mid 1980’s, Judy again reconnected with her old friends and created new ones. She retired from IBM in 2000 and spent her time traveling to see her grandchildren and to spend time with her many friends in such activities as Concerts in the Park, Trivial Pursuit, Bridge and many more.
A classy and creative woman, with a great laugh and smile, there was almost nothing Judy was not good at; stained glass, quilting, sewing, cooking, and interior decorating are just a few of the amazing gifts she possessed.
One of Judy’s favorite things to do after retirement was quilting. Thanks to her many friends in the Stockton Quilting Guild, her passion and skill quickly blossomed. She loved showing quilts at quilt shows and spending time with her quilting friends.
She will be immensely missed, and forever in the hearts of her children and grandchildren who cherished the time spent with her and the gift of her presence.
A commitment of ashes service will be held at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery on March 13, 2021 at 11:00am.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the McOwen family.