STANCATI, Judith Ann

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Monday, September 14, 2009 Judith "Judy" Ann Stancati, 72, passed away Sept. 6, 2009, at her home in Lake Havasu City with her family by her side. She was born Aug. 19, 1937 in Endicott, N. Y., to Philip and Josephine Pero, the youngest of seven children. Judy fell in love and married her sweetheart Dominic on Sept. 29, 1956 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Endicott, N.Y. They began their family in Lawndale, Calif., and then moved to Lake Havasu City in 1972 where Dominic was a production scheduler at the McCulloch Corporation. Judy enjoyed community volunteer work and always kept active in the ministries of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, the Community Choir and Concert Assoc., and the Lake Havasu Unified School District. Judy had a passion for youth and sports and dedicated much energy and effort to area youth sports as a coach, referee and volunteer. She was an AIA Volleyball & Softball referee for 25 years. She will be fondly remembered by many as Mrs. Stancati of the Junior High School front desk, receptionist, and attendance office. Judy was a breast cancer survivor and a tireless volunteer, advocate and past president of the American Cancer Society. After her retirement in 2002, Judy kept very busy in spite of difficulty of Parkinson’s. Her smile, encouraging words, and positive attitude have been an inspiration to everyone privileged to spend time with her. Judy has always been a minister of hospitality in true Italian tradition. Many a stranger has dined at her table where there is always an empty chair, a plate, and plenty of food. Now after a life well lived in service to Jesus Christ, Grandma Judy is seated at the table with her heavenly Father smiling down on each of us. She is dearly loved by a multitude of friends and family and will be greatly missed. Her legacy is family, love, life to its fullest in service to others and God. Judy is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dominic Stancati; daughter, Carol (Don) Jackson-Craig and her two children, Glenn and Julianne of Murrieta Calif.; daughter, Donna (Miles) Willard of Lake Havasu City and their three children, Tiffany, Christy and Sean; daughter, Pamela (Tom) Buschatzke, of Phoenix, and their three daughters, Alyssa, Erica and Gina; son, Steve Stancati, of Lake Havasu City, and his three step-children, Jed, Raven, and L.B.; brothers, Joseph, Philip and Anthony; and sisters, Jennie DeSantis and Jeanette Ciotoli. Judy also has three great-granddaughters, Madilyn (3), Embrie (8 months) and Isabella (3 months) and another due to arrive in December. She was preceded in death by her parents and oldest brother Angelo. A visitation will be held on Friday 6-8 p.m. at Lietz-Fraze Chapel. A Rosary will be held Saturday, 10:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. The family offers its special thanks to Hospice of Havasu for its love and compassion for Judy. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.