January 9 1938 July 8 2020
Judith K. Chavez, age 82 a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend died Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at approximately 4:25 pm at her home in El Dorado Hills, CA. Judy was born January 9, 1938 in Iowa City, IA the daughter of Burdette and Evelyn (Morris) Gegenheimer. She was the 2nd oldest of four children, a sister to Beverly McFadden McMahon of Nashville, TN, Patty Thompson of Jefferson, IA and Rick Gegenheimer of Minnetonka, MN. She graduated from Iowa City High School and attend the University of Iowa nursing school, pursuing a lifelong career as a registered nurse. Judy traveled to Europe with friends and pursued many adventures in her lifetime. At age 25 she followed her best friend Karleen (Hastings) Ferguson to California and eventually met and married Gregory H. Chavez on July 15, 1967. Her family includes; son Stephen Chavez and his wife Christine (Peterson) Chavez of Jackson, MI; daughter Kirsten (Chavez) Costello and her husband Matt Costello of Dublin, CA; son Christopher and his wife Marie Santsche of Sacramento, CA; and 6 grandchildren; Brecken and Kyra Costello, Jake and Christian Chavez, and Zachary and Sophia Santsche-Chavez; sister-in-law Claudia Gegenheimer of Minnetonka, MN, and brother-in-law Dr. Elvin Thompson of Jefferson, IA; several nieces, nephews and their children whom she greatly adored. Judy was a Registered Nurse for over 35 years at Mercy General in downtown Sacramento. She worked in a variety of units including MICU, ICU and Outpatient Surgery. She absolutely loved being a nurse and touched many lives including co-workers and patients. She reluctantly retired in 2010 with fanfare and celebration. Judy dedicated her life to serving Jesus our Savior and was involved in church worship in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church of El Dorado Hills, CA choir and music assemble. Her love and talent of the piano was on display at home and at church as a pianist with a remarkable ability to read and translate sheet music to the keyboard. Judy was passionate about life and the sanctity of life, fighting for the rights of the unborn and consoling those on hospice, delivering in-home communion. She and Greg took the opportunity to travel abroad to Europe and China in their retirement years. Judy was an example to all in her faith and service to the Lord, and was called by many an angel. She will be missed by many but will greet us one day. Judy dearly loved her children, praying each day for them and doting on her six beautiful grandchildren. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, as was her mother Evelyn, and followed the tradition of timely birthday cards to all of her family. Judy was frequent skier and took to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada regularly with friends and family. She water skied in Lake Tahoe in January! Judy is remembered for imposing her will to honor and offer words of remembrance for family and friends at their own funeral services, so it is fitting that we honor this great woman, wife, mother, aunt, friend, and neighbor the same way today. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado Hills with Father Larry Beck officiating. Online condolences may be sent for her family through Green Valley Mortuary website: www.greenvalleymortuary.com/m/obituaries/ Interment will be at the Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery in Rescue, CA following the service Fri. August 21st I know Judy made an impact on so many lives. The family would love for you to share a special memory or message you’d like to convey here on this site. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of Judy’s passion projects APC (Alternative Pregnancy Center): app.mobilecause.com/form/efRAeg?vid=an027 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Judith K. Chavez please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Judith K Chavez January 9 1938 July 8 2020.
Green Valley Mortuary & Crematory
Death notice for the town of: Folsom, state: California