Judith Kucera

Judith Ann Kucera, of Massillon, Ohio passed away on September 30, 2026. She was born on November 16, 1949, in Steubenville, Ohio. Our family moved to Lakewood, Ohio in 1959 where she completed her education through the Lutheran Schools, graduating from Lutheran West in 1968. While in high school, Judi was editor for the school paper and had backstage access for big bands like The Rolling Stones and The Mammas and the Pappas. She continued her education at the Lutheran Medical Center School of Nursing. She began her career at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland and then moved on to Akron Children's Hospital where she spent the rest of her working years, retiring in 2012.

She had a unique sense of humor that made her a delight to be around. Her general outlook was one of naivety and curiosity. She was gullible enough to believe simple things and the resulting events were often funny. As a freshman on admission at nursing school, the "preppies" were blindfolded by upperclassmen and taken on a 'guided tour of the anatomy lab', putting students' hands into a jar of peeled grapes and being told they were eyeballs for dissection, and she immediately burst into tears and near hysterics. The rest of the tour got worse.

Judi was a world traveler. She visited Paris, Greece, Egypt, Mexico, Canada, Las Vegas, and even sailed on the Caribbean. She went to various Disney places too many times to count.

Judi was a lover of animals and over the years, cared for 10 dogs and one cat. They were like beloved children whose birthdays she would often celebrate with a party.

She loved music! Her favorites were movie themes and The Beatles. She knew the words to every sound score and album, singing along much of the time. Her love of The Beatles brought many adventures, too.

Judi was preceded in death by her parents, John and LaVerne Kucera, and her brothers Danny and Stephen Kucera. She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Jan Kucera of Tiffin, Ohio; David Kucera of North Olmstead, Ohio; Mark (Jocy) Kucera of North Olmstead, Ohio; Nic (Lori) Kucera of Dellroy, Ohio; Lois (Chris) Wantz of Massillon, Ohio; Laurie (Mitch) Cook of Summerland Key, Florida; and Beth (Roy) Davis of Massillon, Ohio. Judi is also grieved by lifelong friends Cindy Tucker and Donna Starkey, as well as her friend, Theresa Borodkin.

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