Obituary: Judith A. McVety, 78, Of Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — (From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home): Judith Ann (Kueppers) McVety of Hamden, Connecticut, formerly of Stratford, passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 17 from complications of sarcoidosis. She was predeceased by her brother, James W. Kueppers and nephew Eric Winch, Jr.

Born to Elinor (Lawson) and Walter Kueppers on November 8, 1945, she graduated from Bethel High School in 1964 where she excelled in the business course, sang in the chorus and played basketball. After graduating, she attended Housatonic Community College and studied voice under Maestro Pasquale Pappano.

Her hunger for learning continued throughout her life. Though she had little formal training, she was a gifted artist and painter.

She was a voracious reader and delighted in being a member of a book club. Judy loved word puzzles and playing games and, though she would hesitate to admit it, was quite the competitor. She wrote scores of poems over the years, but the accomplishment of which she was proudest was the completion and publication of her novel “Dark Garden Days.”

The majority of her life was spent in lavishing her support and affection on her family with whom she was generous and loving. She remained modest and humble about her many talents even when it was clear that she was exceedingly creative and innovative.

Judy was an activist, participating in countless local and national marches and initiatives. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed her trip to Italy with her husband, but she also loved her home, sitting on her porch overlooking her flower gardens and watching the birds on the feeders.

She was employed as an office manager in several dental offices in Stratford, and most recently for Ted Strayer, DO in Hamden.

Judy is survived by her husband Robert McVety, her sisters, Carol (Kueppers) Stockton (Richard) and Diane Kueppers Fray (William); her son, Erik Turnquist, and daughter, Kirsten Grills; her grandchildren Travis and Hannah Grills, Christian, Katrina and Luke Turnquist; and her nieces and nephews Jennifer Tyrrell and Jamey Winch, Sr, Brenna McVety, Deidre Bauco, Katie Donahue and Kyla Wedsworth, Jamey Jr., Elizabeth and Faith Winch and Christopher Nardello.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Judy’s honor to Columbus House and Connecticut FoodShare.

Calling hours will be Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. at the conclusion of the calling hours. Burial will be private.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Sisk Brothers Funeral Home here.