Our community lost a pillar on Wednesday morning when Judy (Judith Stowe) Leist, age 81, of Boyne City, formerly Petosky, died peacefully of natural causes.
The daughter of Atwood (Shorty) and Helen Stowe was born in Petosky, Michigan, on Christmas Day 1939. She graduated from Saint Francis Xavier high school in 1957 and went on to serve in the US Army. Judy attended the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) Basic Training in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1960 with the rank of Specialist First Class. During just two years in the Army, Judy operated IBM systems—one of the first-ever computer systems—at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was a WAC drill instructor at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
Judy married Ronald (Ron) Leist on January 9th, 1960, together they had four children. She is survived by her three eldest children and their spouses: Gary (Janet) Leist, Joseph (Shelley) Leist, and Linda (Kevin) Clements. She is also survived by her only grandchild, Bridgette Beriault. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, and youngest daughter, Janet.
Judy, and her family, were very proud of her groundbreaking contributions to the US Army, where she operated in areas of the Department of Defense that were once considered “men only”. Judy continued her service to her country and her community by dedicating much of her time assisting in countless military funerals with the Boyne City Legion Post 228. Judy was also an avid volunteer at Challenge Mountain and the Charlevoix County Victims’ Service Unit and enjoyed reading, bowling, and crocheting in her spare time.
Judy was undoubtedly special—the perfect amount of spunk, kindness, and strength. She had a presence that was hard to describe, but those who knew her loved her for it. Spending time with her family was the joy of her life; she loved her friends and family with her whole heart.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 24 at St. Matthews Church in Boyne City with a gathering of family and friends being held from 9:00 AM until the time of service.
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