J. ‶Judy″ Craft Judith

Judith J. “Judy” Craft, age 89, formerly of Stilwell Road in Trumansburg, died peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca.

Judy was born on March 7, 1925 in Ithaca, NY, a daughter of the late Harold F. and Marian (Chambers) Thompson. Upon completing high school she then went on to graduate from Ithaca College with a teaching degree in music. She taught at the Interlaken Central School for several years as the music teacher and band director, while attending Cortland State College summers. Upon completion of her Masters Degree from Cortland, Judy taught at Romulus Central School. She then taught 4th grade for another 22 years, retiring from the South Seneca Central Schools in 1986. Judy had been a member of the Interlaken Reformed Church and served as the choir director.
As much as Judy loved her years of teaching and helped to shape the futures of many young children, she truly found her joy in retirement. She travelled the United States and Canada extensively on her motorcycle. She often had her friend, Phyllis Standish and one of her beloved dogs along for the trip as well. She finally gave up riding at the age of 87, after putting over 100,000 miles on each of three motorcycles. She was a member of local motorcycle clubs, including the Re-Treads and the 40+ Club. Judy’s home was a refuge for many stray cats and shelter dogs over the years. Judy spent the past year at The Bixby Home, when she felt that she was unable to safely stay at her home in Trumansburg.
Judy is survived by her children, Bruce C. Craft of Wyers Point and Heather (Hans Buljung) Craft of LaVeta, CO, a sister in law, Naomi Brewer of Wyers Point and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her longtime friend Phyllis Standish in 2013 and by the father of her children, Carleton S. Craft in 1988.
A Gathering of Remembrance will be held in September, date and time to be announced by Covert Funeral Home of Ovid.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Judy’s memory to the Tompkins County SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 www.spcaonline.com.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Gathering for Judy Craft, who died on August 7th, from 2:00 to 4:00pm on Sunday, September 14, 2014 at the Ovid Fire Department on Brown Street in Ovid.