Judith L. Haffa

Judith L. Haffa, age 61, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of May 6, 2023.  She was born in Painesville on April 8, 1962, the third of four daughters.

Judy was a 1980 graduate of Riverside High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Hiram College in 1984.  She was best known for her teaching at St. Mary School in Painesville.   Judy received such purpose from the children in her life, whether it was her students or her friend’s children, but above all her beloved nieces and nephews.  She was officially the “coolest aunt in the world”.  A title she lived up to.

After her teaching career she switched gears and worked as a senior credit specialist, finishing her career at Hose Master.

Judy’s passion was music.  Everyone agreed she had the voice of an angel.  A favorite memory is of her standing at her parent’s front door, singing for the whole neighborhood to hear!  She used her vocal talents in St. Mary’s Church choir along with gracing her family and friends on their special occasions.

Judy had a love of all animals but had a particular fondness for shelties, which she fostered, along with donating and volunteering at the Sheltie Herding Trials in Lodi, Ohio for many years.

She loved spending time with her family and always had positive words of encouragement.  Judy was a friend to everyone she met, with her warm smile, quick wit, and infectious laugh.

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Don C. Haffa, step-dad, Ken E. McCoy; grandparents, Charles and Hazel Perkins and Milton and Lillian Haffa; and her beloved sheltie, Cody Boy.

She leaves her heartbroken family of her mother, Peggy Haffa McCoy; siblings, the “Haffa Girls”, Debbie (Jim) Torre, Cindy (Bill) Clingerman and Vickie (Mike) Szabo; her adoring nephews and nieces, Jim (Stacey) Torre, Marcee Torre, Brandee (Sean) Masterson, Amanda (Mike) Ditch, Michael Szabo, Cait (Jen) Shick, Lannee (Justin) Crawford, Briana Szabo, and her ”love bug” William Szabo, along with her great nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received 4:00 – 8:00 PM, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Spear Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 AM on Thursday, May 11th, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, in Concord Township.  Burial will be in Concord Cemetery.

Donations in Judy’s memory may be made to: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/oh/hudson/northeast-ohio-shetland-sheepdog-rescue-inc-oh357/

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