Judy D. Steel

Judith (Judy) Diane Steel, a deeply loved mom, wife, sister, grandmother, teacher and friend, passed away Friday, April 24th at McGivney Way in the Immaculate Heart of Mary memory care surrounded by loved ones following a long journey through Alzheimer’s / Dementia. Daughter to the late Roy and Lois McManaway, Judy was born on August 5th, 1945 in Monroe, Michigan. Judy was the fifth of 6 siblings including brothers Don and Jerry and sisters Eileen, Helen and Lori. Judy grew up in Monroe, graduated from Monroe High School in 1963 and went on to Eastern Michigan University where she met the love of her life, George Harris Steel.

Following their graduation from EMU, Judy and George married in 1967, settled in Monroe and both became teachers for Monroe Public Schools. Judy had a love for teaching young learners and especially enjoyed helping elementary students ignite their passion for books and reading. Over the decades that Judy taught she was at Lincoln and Riverside elementary schools and loved teaching 2nd grade the most. During her career as an educator, Judy also participated in the Michigan Education Association teachers union and represented the district at several regional and state councils. While teaching fulltime and starting a family, Judy attended classes nights and weekends to complete a Masters of Art in education. In addition to her career in education, Judy was a licensed social worker for the State of Michigan working with Community Mental Health and an assisted living facility for adults with developmental disabilities.

Judy and George raised three children, Peter, Erin and Alison and spent summers traveling or boating around Lake Erie on their boat, The Steel-A-Way. Judy loved to entertain and their home was often the location for birthday parties, fishfrys, bbqs and euchre parties that filled their house with laughter and joy. As much as she loved welcoming people to their home, Judy was also involved with many community organizations throughout her life including the JayCees, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church ladies group, Monroe High School choral boosters, Monroe Boat Club Auxiliary and many others. Judy’s personal service project was an annual coat drive that she organized with the Lincoln School Alumni Group distributing hundreds of winter coats, hats and gloves to kids living in the neighborhoods surrounding the Lincoln school site.

Judy’s greatest passion in life was her love for George and being his wife. After meeting George sledding on cafeteria trays, Judy told her college roommates that he was the man she was going to marry; in 2017 Judy and George celebrated their Golden 50th Anniversary. After retiring from Monroe Public Schools, Judy and George spent several years traveling including trips to Scotland, Alaska, the Grand Canyon and many trips and winter stays in Florida and the Keys. Judy had a knack for always finding unique places to stay and great places to dine, sometimes so off the beaten path she would say, “It’s the scenic route!”.

While dementia faded Judy’s memories, it did not dim her goofiness or sense of humor and she could often be seen dancing down the halls of McGivney Way with her walker and singing a tune. She loved the exceptional care team at McGiveny and became fast friends with many of the staff and residents. Judy’s children will be forever grateful for the love, care and compassion that she received during her time in memory care at IHM’s McGivney Way. She loved visits by her children and especially her grandson Riley who she would ask to sign songs from the musical Hamilton. She loved a good joke or a harmless prank and had an infectious laughter that was unmistakable.

To cherish Judy’s memory, she is survived by son Peter (Vanya) Steel, Erin (Jamie Perkins) Steel and Alison (Kerry) Kamer and grandchildren Logan (Karli) Kamer, Sebastion Kamer, Riley Perkins and great grandson Liam Cure, sisters Eileen Loth, Helen Proser and Lori (Glenn) Lambert and many nieces, nephews and great nieces/nephews. She was preceded by her Mom and Dad Roy and Lois, Mother and Father Inlaws Peter & Henrietta Steel, brothers Don and Jerry and sister-in-law Patricia McManaway.

Visitation will be at Rupp Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 28th from 4-7pm and 10-11am Wednesday, April 29th followed by service at 11. Immediately after service there will be a procession to Roselawn Cemetery for graveside burial and a lunch at Monroe Boat Club.

Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com