Judith R. ‘Judy’ WolfeJudith R. “Judy” Hackler Wolfe, 72, of Syracuse, passed away at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, at her home.
She was born in Covina, Calif., on June 9, 1949, to Charles and Mary Hackler.
Taking from her father’s profession as an ACLU lawyer, Judy was always an advocate for civil rights. As a young adult living through the 1960s, she was active in many historical movements including the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and the Martin Luther King funeral march in 1968.
Judy received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz in 1971.
After completing her bachelor’s, Judy backpacked across Europe, experiencing a diversity of cultures and music that made her into the unique individual that everyone that met her loved.
Upon returning to California, she made some lifelong friends from Indiana that talked her into visiting the Hoosier state where she remained an Indiana girl.
Starting a career in special needs in the Syracuse area in 1976, Judy went on to obtain her teaching certificate from Ball State University to further her desire to work with those in need. She later received her master’s from Indiana University.
Starting in the special education department at Wawasee High School in 1985, Judy humbly assisted many students to receive their high school diploma. To this day, many parents and students cite her as the reason they were able to graduate.
Apart from her career at this time, Judy spent her time boating, gardening, bee keeping and attending music festivals all over the country with the love of her life by her side, Roger Dunithan, who preceded her in death.
In 2016, Judy retired from Wawasee High School. She spent her retirement enjoying many international travels with multiple different groups of friends that had all become “lifelong” by this point.
Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. Ind. 15, Warsaw. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, is in charge of arrangements.
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In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be given to the Wawasee High School Special Education Department, #1 Warrior Path, Syracuse, IN 46567.
To send condolences to the family of Judy Wolfe, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
