Judith A. Hale
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We pray in thanksgiving for the life of Judith ("Judy") Anne Hale who passed away in Petoskey, Michigan on August 9, 2021, following a brief illness.
Judy is predeceased by her twin sister Jeanne Marie (Cameron) Woodin (2014), and her daughter, Heather Hale Wilson (2013). She lives on through her husband of 56 years, Ken Hale, and her surviving children Michael Hale (Melissa Hirn), Julie Buttler (Kevin), Kristi Ashton (Brian), Daniel Hale (Tricia), and Kathleen Hale, as well as 15 grandchildren who were her pride and joy: Alexander, Adam, Brendan, Ava, Jackson, Olivia, Carson, Waverly, Casey, Landon, Madelyn, Keira, Camden, Beckham, and Harper Jude. She is also survived by her siblings Gail Bieschke (Ron), Gordon Cameron, Christopher Cameron (Marilia), and Mary Kay Cameron, and countless nieces and nephews who adored her.
Judy was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 18, 1940. The eldest child of Lillian and Gordon Cameron, Judy was carried home in an Awry Bakery basket with her twin sister Jeanne. She spent her childhood in Detroit with her 5 siblings, attending Saint Edwards Elementary School and Annunciation High School where her Catholic faith in God began and strengthened.
Some might remember Judy from her early days working at Awry Bakery in Detroit and Sanders Ice Cream Shop. She met the love of her life, Ken, while working at Employers' Insurance Company in 1959. After their marriage in 1964, Judy played a vital role in starting and continuing to grow the company that she co-owned with Ken, Cambridge Underwriters Ltd., in Livonia, Michigan.
While raising their 6 children in Livonia, Judy opened her home to the countless neighborhood children who still remember her as the mother who could fix anything. She was admired for her giving nature, kindness, humility, grace, and contagious wit.
Judy Hale set the standard for both generosity and ferocity of spirit. While she had the grace, dignity, and DNA of royalty, she had the soul of a saint. It has been said that the two most important days of a person's life are the day they were born and the day they discovered why. Judy learned early on in life that her "why" was to serve others. It would be hard to identify a time when her empathy did not shine through when she learned of anyone in need, and this was unconditional. She was the definition of selfless. A mother figure to all, both young and old, Judy dedicated her life to serving God and others before herself.
It seemed that Judy's energy for helping others never tired. She organized countless fundraisers for her church, Hospice of Michigan, Karmanos Cancer Institute, to name a few, as well as contributing to religious organizations such as Forgotten Harvest and the MidWest Jesuits. While she preferred to work behind the scenes, Judy was commended for her dedication to the community in 1992 when she received the First Citizen of Livonia award.
Judy knew she was on this earth to not just call herself a Christian but to consistently live out and aspire to those ideals. A long-time member and active parishioner of St. Aidan's Catholic Church in Livonia, she served in many capacities over the years. Her faith in God spoke volumes to so many people and touched countless lives. Truth be told, Judy's legacy is that she lived her faith in all that she did on this earth, and despite life's challenges, she never lost that faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any special memories of Judy be sent to [email protected] These memories will be shared later at a celebration of Judy's life when all who loved her can safely gather together in one place.