Judy Fulkerson Transitions to Eternal Life

On Sunday, May 24, I received a phone call from Frank Fulkerson to inform me that his wife Judy had died on Friday afternoon, May 22.  Judy had been in hospice care at home for the last few weeks.  All of their family was at their home in Macomb, IL.  Frank told me that they had planned to celebrate Christmas on Memorial Day Weekend.  However, given Judy's failing health, they actually celebrated Christmas on the weekend of May 16-17.  Frank described how he and their 4 children spent the last week of Judy's life sleeping in the living room on couches, mattresses on the floor, and chairs where Judy slept in her hospital bed.

As planned by the family, visitation with the family began at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Macomb.  Visitation was followed by a liturgical wake at 7:00 pm.  Grandchildren shared memories of Judy at the conclusion of the wake.  So many friends, neighbors, and colleagues came to support Frank and his family at the visitation.  Present from our class were John and Kathy Driscoll, Mike Heydinger, Don and Betty Wampach, and Christine and I.

Judy's funeral liturgy was celebrated on Wednesday morning, May 27, at 10:30 in St. Paul's.  Msgr. Richard Pricco, longtime pastor of St. Paul's, presided at this liturgy.  Judy had worked closely with Msgr. Pricco in several capacities over the years.  One significant role that Judy had played was as a member of the parish building committee.  Judy was especially proud of her contributions to a major expansion of the church building itself.  Msgr. Pricco acknowledged this in his homily.  Judy's burial in the parish cemetery followed the liturgy.  Mike, Christine, and I were able to stay overnight in Macomb and attend Judy's funeral and burial.

Judy, requiescat in pace!