Judy Marie Homchis Shoskey (1942-2024)

A God-loving, family focused woman who cherished spending time with family and friends, whether entertaining at home, playing tennis, bridge or traveling abroad. Judy Marie Homchis Shoskey, 81, of Traverse City, MI died at Munson Hospice House on Friday, October 18, 2024. She was born in Pepper Pike, OH in 1942 to Marie Kuhn Homchis and John P. Homchis, Jr.

As a family, they spent summers on Glen Lake, starting when Judy was four years old. As a teenager, the family drove Route 66 to California, which ignited the desire for her to travel and see the world.

Judy attended Laurel School in Shaker Heights, OH before receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology at Albion College. Albion was where her parents met.

Judy met the love of her life, Bill Shoskey in 1962, while attending Albion. Excited to start their lives together, the two were married September 19, 1964.

Judy and Bill could not wait to start a family of their own. Their family began in 1966 with the birth of Amy, followed by Karie and Heather. They raised their daughters in Saginaw, Edwards-burg and eventually Traverse City, MI. They moved to Traverse City in 1979 with a job promo-tion for Bill, which brought Judy to her beloved Northern Michigan and Old Mission Peninsula, where they lived on the beach and later in the vineyard Chateau Chantal, where sunrises and sunsets were plentiful.

Though Judy loved playing bridge, tennis and golf, being involved in social clubs and spending time in the kitchen, Judy's favorite role was that as a mother and grandmother. She treasured her time with her grandkids and loved being their G'ma Judy, never failing to celebrate birthdays and holidays with special, family favorite holiday meals (however her favorite meal has always been a large bowl of popcorn). At Christmas, Judy was known for her elaborate Baked Alaska decorated as a ski resort, with miniature skiers, pine trees and chalets. Judy and Bill enjoyed traveling with their grandkids (without parents), taking them on educational trips to the historical Gettysburg area, as well as through the Canadian Rockies and Yellowstone.

Judy had a soft spot for her furry grand-dogs, treating each one like the valuable family member they were. She loved selecting special gifts for those dogs.

Friends were a very important aspect of Judy and Bill's lives. They made and kept friendships, many starting from their time at college, made through Bill's line of work and continued to make new friends at their recent new home at Cordia. They loved entertaining friends in their home on Old Mission Peninsula. They traveled with friends and family to far away places such as China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Peru and most of Europe. For their 50th Wed-ding Anniversary, they took their entire family on a memorable trip to Alaska.

Judy was passionate about being involved in philanthropy. While in Saginaw, she was involved in Junior League and in Traverse City, was a member of Old Mission Women's Club. Judy was

a devout Christian and a valued member of her church community, including service in Stephen Ministries.

Judy spent her time on her hobbies such as cooking, baking, entertaining, reading, and sailing her Sunfish. She loved music, especially Bob James, Dave Brubeck, George Winston, and even Bob Marley. She was known in the family as a "master knitter", making sweaters for loved ones, all of which have been kept for posterity sake.

Judy was preceded in death by both parents, both sets of grand parents, brothers Peter and Bill, and is survived by her adoring husband Bill, daughters Amy Shoskey, Karie Lambert (Chris), Heather Mitchell (Jeromy) and three loving grandchildren Emma Simon, Liam Simon and Devin Mitchell.

Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 2, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Trav-erse City. Visitation will begin at 10:00am followed by the service at 11:00am. Luncheon to fol-low at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Congregational Church of Traverse City, Traverse Health Clinic, or Single MOMM