Judith Ann Savage Hoeffler, of Suttons Bay, MI., departed this life on February 25, 2018. She leaves her beloved family members, including husband, Dr. John Wallace Hoeffler of Suttons Bay, MI., and their son, Nicholas Robert Hoeffler, and his wife, Kathryn Anne Lindeman, of Chicago, IL.
Dr. Hoeffler received a bachelor's degree in journalism and both the master and doctor of philosophy degree in political communication from The Ohio State University. She lectured at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, and at Oakland University in Rochester, MI.
Her career included communication management with the Ross Division of Abbott Laboratories and executive director positions with the Child Abuse Prevention organizations in both Oakland and Wayne counties. She earned the Forbes Best Managed Non Profit designation for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County. Additionally, she was awarded the Michigan Children's Trust Fund "Champion of Children" award and was acknowledged by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate for her work on behalf of children at risk. The Birmingham Bloomfield (MI) Chamber of Commerce gave Dr. Hoeffler its "First Citizen" award for her work on behalf of children.
During her married life in Columbus, OH, and Birmingham, MI, she served on many boards. In Columbus, she was on the vestry of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and the boards of the Columbus Community House, an outreach mission; and the League Against Child Abuse. In the Detroit area, she served as board chair of both The Birmingham Community House, a cultural institution; and Goodwill of Greater Detroit, and on the boards of several other non-profit institutions.
In Suttons Bay, MI, where she and her husband retired to their home on Grand Traverse Bay, she was the founding president of By-the-Bay Garden Club, was a board member of the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, a docent with the Leelanau Conservancy, and served as a volunteer to feed the hungry. She was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church.
Judith was the daughter of The Rev. Canon Robert E. and Gladys Koci Savage, both of whom predeceased her. She was born March 21, 1947, in Bucks County, PA, and spent most of her childhood in Waukegan, IL. She leaves behind her loved siblings, Dr. Rodney W. Savage (Susan) of Wirtz, VA; Mary Margaret Memmen (Dr. James E.) of Green Bay and Egg Harbor, WI; Arthur McH. Savage (Mary) of Evanston, IL; and eight nieces and nephews.
A memorial service / celebration of life for Dr. Hoeffler is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 1 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, Birmingham, where her ashes will reside in the church's memorial garden.
A memorial service / celebration of life for Dr. Hoeffler is also scheduled for Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, Traverse City.
Judith asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy, Leland MI, or to the Community House 21st Century Leaders program or Community House Storytellers Guild, in Birmingham, MI, the latter two programs founded by Judith.
Please share your thoughts and memories with Judith's family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.