Judith Kubaney

Judith J. Kubaney, age 78, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday October 8, 2021, in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was born in Erie on February 20, 1943 to the late William and Charlotte May.

She married the love of her life Jim Kubaney on August 14, 1965 at St. Patrick’s Church in Erie, PA.  Together they set a wonderful example for their three children by fulfilling their marriage vows to support each other “in sickness and in health.” Their 50^th wedding anniversary celebration was a special time with family that they cherished. Mom faithfully supported dad throughout all his surgeries and many healthcare challenges. She was an anchor for dad and our family, and she has missed him dearly over the four years since his passing. We rejoice that they are together once again.

Judy graduated from McDowell High School in 1961 and as a young woman worked first at Zurn Industries and later as a teller at Mellon Bank and Northwest Bank. Judy was an extraordinary wife and mother to her three children. We were well fed and clothed and taken on-time to practices, games and school events. She nurtured us when we were sick. Even though dad was a teacher by profession, it was mom who read to us when we were young and supervised homework and we owe much of our success in life to the time that she invested in us. 

Judy loved to play bridge and mah-jongg.  She was active in several garden clubs over the years and she shared her passion for gardening with her late husband Jim.  They spent many hours together cultivating their yard. She supported her husband’s passion for nature and wildlife photography by traveling throughout small towns in western Pennsylvania. Not known to take risks, in a rare lapse of judgement she hand fed corn to a bull elk in north-central Pennsylvania, and of course, dad captured the photo. On another trip with the PA Game Commission, she was thrilled to hold a black bear cub when it was pulled from the den of its hibernating mother for evaluation. In their retirement years, she and Jim took many long rides to enjoy the simple beauty of nature and they shared the joy of attending all their grandchildren’s sporting and scholastic events, and the occasional boat ride on Lake Chautauqua. Her keen sense of hearing was instrumental in saving the lives of two ice-fishermen who fell through the ice on Lake Chautauqua in March 2016. Luckily, with an unusually warm spring day they were driving with their windows down when she heard a cry for help, from nearly an eighth of a mile away.

Judy was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and her faith in God and trust in Christ survived the many physical challenges she overcame. 

She was predeceased by her parents, William and Charlotte May, a stepmother, Dorothy Harris May, brother-in-law Thomas Kubaney and his wife Linda Kubaney, and a brother-in-law Robert Adams. She is survived by a brother, James May and his wife Donna of Millcreek; two sons, James M. Kubaney and his wife Shelley of Fairview, and Jeffrey S. Kubaney and his wife Holly of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Jana M. Slater and her husband Jeff of Millcreek; a sister-in-law Lois Kubaney of Fort Myers, Florida; a sister-in-law Barbara Adams of Marco Island, Florida; a sister-in-law Kathy DeDionisio and her husband Bill of Wattsburg; grandsons, Andrew Kubaney, Jacob Slater, William Kubaney, Jack Kubaney, Sam Kubaney and Alex Kubaney; a granddaughter Madeline Slater; and a granddaughter Elizabeth Swadener (Kubaney) and her husband Elias of Burke, Virginia.

The family would like to thank all the nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers who provided loving care to Judy over the years. The family is also thankful for the many neighborhood friends and other lifelong friends who provided support when it was most needed.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, October 29^th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Burton Quinn Scott Funeral Home, 3801 West 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506. Out of an abundance of caution, the family would appreciate all visitors coming prepared to wear their face masks for everyone’s health and safety. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday October 30^th at St. Patrick Church 130 E. 4^th Street, Erie, Pa 16507. Burial will follow at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Network Community Gardens, 425 West 18^th Street, Erie, PA 16502.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com