Judith Ann Kuska was born Aug. 12, 1943, in Friend, to John Kuska Jr. and Julia Ann (Hines) Kuska.
Her brothers wrote their mother in the hospital and asked her to bring home a baby girl named Judy. Judy lived on a farm near Exeter and attended country school through grade five and then Exeter Public School. Judy graduated high school with a class of 18. The summer of her graduation, Judy met the love of her life, Jerry Ware. They were married Sept. 22, 1962, at the Methodist Church in Exeter. Jerry swept her off her feet all the way to Whittier, Alaska, where they resided until the March 27, 1964, earthquake and tsunami. At that time, they lost their oldest child, Geriann Dee Ware.
Judy moved with her husband to Anchorage, Alaska, where they resided with a planned move to Grants Pass, Oregon, before her death. Family was very important to Judy. She was a devoted and loving wife to Jerry for more than 61 years.
Judy was a godly woman and attended Anchorage First Christian Church for most of her time in Anchorage. Judy trusted in God and believed in the power of prayer. Judy served in many different positions in the church. Next to family and God, Judy was most connected with her community and friends. Judy was active in the Lake Otis PTA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Judy worked for the Anchorage School District for 20 years, earning a Lifetime Honorary status in recognition of her exemplary service. She maintained her friendships with people she worked with and met within the community throughout her life.
Judy had many hobbies, needlepoint, knitting and crochet, gardening and reading among them. But her favorite hobbies were talking on the telephone with family and friends and traveling. Jerry and Judy always had a RV and made numerous trips up and down the Alcan Highway and crisscrossing the United States to visit with friends and family as well as to see new places.
She was the loving mother of Diane Heath (Darryl), John Ware (Beverly Valdez) and Donna Ware (Jerry Cannon). Judy was grandmother to Wyatt Heath, Makayla Heath and Parker Cannon. She was an involved and loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Judy was preceded in death by her mother, father, oldest daughter and two brothers.
The funeral service was May 26 at the Anchorage First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Anchorage Senior Center, Fitness Department, 1300 East 19th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. Cards/condolences may be sent to Jerry Ware, 2634 Raydean Dr., Grants Pass, OR 97527.
