Judy Coet
1943-11-21 2013-06-23Judith Katherine Coet (Judy) was born to Jacob and Carmella (Millie) Heberlein on November 21, 1943, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Jake was stationed in the Army. Millie and Judy returned to family in Denver, Colorado, while Jake served overseas during WWII. Judy lived in Colorado most of her life, well rooted in the Italian-American community of Northwest Denver and beyond.
She attended Wheat Ridge High School and took several college courses in preparation for her lifelong career as a medical secretary. On the job, Judy provided friendly and compassionate service to patients of all ages. Judy retired early, in her 40s, to care for her mother and mother-in-law until their deaths.
Throughout her life, Judy volunteered for many organizations and charities, including the Lady Elks, Italian Club in Louisville, League of Women Voters, and Alzheimer’s Association – where she led a caregiver support group for many years.
Holding steadfast beliefs (political, religious, and otherwise), Judy became a bit famous for calls and letters to politicians and her penchant for writing letters to the editor of Denver-area newspapers.
Judy valued friendships, loyalty, and laughter. Quick with a kind word or a little joke, she maintained many relationships throughout her life, with family, childhood friends, coworkers, neighbors, fellow volunteers, and others. Judy had a keen ability to remember details about everyone’s lives and worries. Judy’s friends recall her enthusiasm and empathy in good times and bad. As health concerns mounted, Judy also earned the affection of nurses and doctors. In her final days, many healthcare professionals made a point to visit and to say goodbye.
Because flying made her nervous, Judy traveled by car around Colorado and the American west to visit family and friends.
Judy became an early and active member of the Church of the Beloved in Northglenn, Colorado. This ecumenical Catholic community provided a home for her faith and many important friendships. In 2010, when Judy first moved from her longtime home in Northglenn, church friends regularly sent cards and visited so that she felt connected, despite the inability to attend church events anymore.
Judy weathered her illness and its growing limitations with grace. Always expressing her love and appreciation to family in whatever way she could, even if that meant a squeeze of your hand on the days she could not talk.
Judy’s final words four days before birth into eternal life – “I love you too.”
Preceded in death by her husband of more than 20 years Robert Coet, Judy is survived by sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Michael Cieszlak; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Pamela Gantenbein; daughter and son-in-law Teresa and Dean Carlson; daughter and son-in-law Roxanne and Tom Hawn; grandchildren – Brandie Fernandez, Cortney Ortega, and Rachel Carlson; great grandchildren – Celeste Gantenbein, Paris Fernandez, Antonio Fernandez, and Elliana Ortega.
Funeral services and burial will be held at Mount Olivet (12801 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033) Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. A reception at a nearby restaurant will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:
CurePSP
30 East Padonia Road, Suite 201
Timonium, MD 21093
800-457-4777 *
She attended Wheat Ridge High School and took several college courses in preparation for her lifelong career as a medical secretary. On the job, Judy provided friendly and compassionate service to patients of all ages. Judy retired early, in her 40s, to care for her mother and mother-in-law until their deaths.
Throughout her life, Judy volunteered for many organizations and charities, including the Lady Elks, Italian Club in Louisville, League of Women Voters, and Alzheimer’s Association – where she led a caregiver support group for many years.
Holding steadfast beliefs (political, religious, and otherwise), Judy became a bit famous for calls and letters to politicians and her penchant for writing letters to the editor of Denver-area newspapers.
Judy valued friendships, loyalty, and laughter. Quick with a kind word or a little joke, she maintained many relationships throughout her life, with family, childhood friends, coworkers, neighbors, fellow volunteers, and others. Judy had a keen ability to remember details about everyone’s lives and worries. Judy’s friends recall her enthusiasm and empathy in good times and bad. As health concerns mounted, Judy also earned the affection of nurses and doctors. In her final days, many healthcare professionals made a point to visit and to say goodbye.
Because flying made her nervous, Judy traveled by car around Colorado and the American west to visit family and friends.
Judy became an early and active member of the Church of the Beloved in Northglenn, Colorado. This ecumenical Catholic community provided a home for her faith and many important friendships. In 2010, when Judy first moved from her longtime home in Northglenn, church friends regularly sent cards and visited so that she felt connected, despite the inability to attend church events anymore.
Judy weathered her illness and its growing limitations with grace. Always expressing her love and appreciation to family in whatever way she could, even if that meant a squeeze of your hand on the days she could not talk.
Judy’s final words four days before birth into eternal life – “I love you too.”
Preceded in death by her husband of more than 20 years Robert Coet, Judy is survived by sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Michael Cieszlak; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Pamela Gantenbein; daughter and son-in-law Teresa and Dean Carlson; daughter and son-in-law Roxanne and Tom Hawn; grandchildren – Brandie Fernandez, Cortney Ortega, and Rachel Carlson; great grandchildren – Celeste Gantenbein, Paris Fernandez, Antonio Fernandez, and Elliana Ortega.
Funeral services and burial will be held at Mount Olivet (12801 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033) Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. A reception at a nearby restaurant will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:
CurePSP
30 East Padonia Road, Suite 201
Timonium, MD 21093
800-457-4777 *
Fond Memories from 3rd or 4th grade. I think Judy lived on Jay Street at the time & I lived at 41st and Harlan. We both went to Mountain View grade school on Eaton street. I remember she would walk by my house on the way to school... I had a boy hood crush on her and a couple times I walked to school with her .. maybe even ???????? Carried her books to school ???? ???? God bless????
tribute by Harold Precht