Born June 8th, 1944 at St. Vincent's Hospital, Staten Island, N.Y. to Wilbert and Margaret Zirnhelt. Judy moved with her family to Davison, MI in 1946. Judy was a lifelong member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Davison. Over the years Judy was very active in her church, being a teacher of Religious Education, The Blue Army, Apostolate of Fatima, Legion of Mary, St. Patrick's Guild and Eucharistic Minister for Retirement, Assisted Living, Nursing and private homes. Judy attended grade school at St. John Davison, High School at St. Michael Flint and graduated from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo where she just returned for her 50th class reunion. Judy taught school for 30 years with most being at Reid Elementary in Goodrich. Judy was dearly loved by her students and received many letters from them over the years.
Judy loved to travel and took her 2 daughters backpacking all over Europe for 6 weeks with her husband of 30 years, Bob, she traveled to all 50 states , all Canadian Provinces, much of Mexico, over 35 countries and 6 of the 7 continents. Judy's favorite trips were to Australia, where she, her husband Bob and her dearly loved father Wilbert rented a motor home and drove over 1300 miles, skiing the Australian Alps and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. But her favorite of all was her trip to Israel. Judy visited Ireland over 10 times to see over 50 relatives and go to the ruins of the old stone house where her father's mother was born.
Judy departed life at the home she loved for over 30 years at the age of 72. Judy was preceded in death by her father Wilbert in 1998, her foster brother Michael Madaj in 2002, her mother Margaret in 2010 and her daughter in law Christena Baumbach in 2015. Judy is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Bob. Her brothers: Peter (Diane O'Donnell), William "Zip" (Vicky Haneline), Robert (Elizabeth Wittbrodt), and Timothy (Janell Hempton). Her sisters: Judy (Victor) Rodriguez, and Susan (James) Frazier. Children: Jeffrey Baumbach, Bridget (Joe) Sova, and Rebecca Baumbach. Grandchildren: Alexander, Andrea and Alli Sova, Garrett Baumbach and Samira Shalal. She also leaves many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Wednesday September 28, 2016 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 404 Dayton St. Davison. Fr. Andrew A. Czajkowski, Celebrant. Rite of Commital will follow at 3:00 pm Wednesday at St. John Cemetery. Family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm Tuesday Sept. 27 at the church with a parish rosary at 6:30 pm. Those desiring may make contributions for memorial masses in Judy's memory. Share your condolences at www.hansenfuneralhome.net