“Love more.” These are the words Judy Garvey lived by and shared with the circle of family and friends who surrounded her in our South Bay community, every day of her life. Judy was the brightest of lights and a force like no other.
Her compassion, joy and kindness were precious to everyone who knew her. She lived with gusto, always open to the next trip, Halloween wig or never-tried-that-before excursion to the very end of her days.Surrounded by her family, Judy passed away at her home in Manhattan Beach on July 1st after a valiant battle with cancer which she faced with the same grace, strength, and dignity that she displayed throughout her life.
She is now reunited with the love of her life and husband of 43 years, Donald “Butch” Garvey, who passed away 22 years ago. Her family was the foundation of her life and her greatest legacy. Judy was a proud mother of five children: Bridget Mondt (John), Chris Tight (Steve), Debi Rubel (Brian), Tom Garvey (Mindy), and Marie Garvey (Brian); “Grammie” to nine grandchildren (Caitlin, Kelsey, Charlotte, Griffin, Natalie, Chrissy, Cole, Cade and Adley); and “GG-Ma” to four great-grandchildren (Levi, Remi, Jaxon and Cody) with one more on the way! She was the center of this expanding and tight-knit family, beloved by all lucky enough to be an official Garvey as well as countless friends who considered “Mom Garvey” a ‘second mom’ and mentor.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Judy was raised in Inglewood, California and attended Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles where she received her nursing degree and went on to work at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Inglewood. It was there that she met Ahlean Garvey who would soon become her Mother-in-Law. Once Judy started her family she worked as a nurse for the Torrance School District, where she won the Golden Apple award and later served as Dean of Students at Torrance High School.
At age 40 she went back to school and received a master’s degree to become a Marriage and Family Life therapist. She continued to volunteer her time and talent throughout her life as a valuable member of her church and the larger community.Judy’s mission to care for people wasn’t just a matter of official training, it was her authentic calling.
She made everyone feel special and part of the Garvey family. Her door was always open and there was always a place for you at her table. She was always there to welcome, listen, encourage, and advise.
She had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest every single day. She had more energy than anyone half her age and was always game for any new adventure including walking 100 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago journey in Spain at 80 years old! She loved traveling, the Dodgers, Disneyland, the beach, and costumes of any kind! She was beautiful inside and out and exuded genuine grace to everyone she met.Even towards the final days of her life, she had her hair and make-up done, lipstick on, wore cute new jammies and her signature hoop earrings.
She greeted everyone with her smile, continued to engage in conversation and encouraged everyone with her wisdom. She was a true example of how to “love more.”Judy was so full of life it’s difficult to imagine a world without her in it.
But her wisdom, grace, love, light, and spirit will live on in her family and every person that was blessed enough to know and love her.A mass to commemorate her amazing life will be held on Friday, July 26th at 12:00 PM at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church located at 25515 Eshelman Avenue in Lomita, California.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held immediately afterwards at the Tight family residence in Palos Verdes Estates. Details and directions will be shared at the church after the service.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Judy’s honor to St.
Margaret Mary’s Christian Services. Please make checks payable to St. Margaret Mary’s Church Christian Services and send to 25515 Eshelman Avenue, Lomita, California.
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