Judith’s Obituary Judith A. Van Druff, of Waycross departed this Earth Wednesday (January 16, 2019) on the birthday of her mother at Pierce County Nursing Home after a long illness. Mrs. Van Druff was born in Olean, New York in 1941 to the late Richard C. and Theresa M. Warren Monroe. Judy grew up in Portville, NY as a member of the Sacred Heart parish in Portville, NY and graduated from Portville Central School.
After graduating from Alfred University in 1961, she spent three years working for GE in Syracuse, NY as a Technical Secretary. Judy married Gary Caskins in 1962 in Syracuse, NY. Together they had three children.
In 1967, she began working as the Psychological and Educational Secretary at Portville Central School in Portville, NY. She then earned her teaching degree from St Bonaventure University in 1972. From 1972 to 1979, she taught Business Education at Wayland Central School in Wayland, NY where she was advisor to the Future Business Leaders of America.
Judy re-married Lowell E. Van Druff (who predeceased her in 2017) and moved to Cuba, NY in 1975. Their marriage blended two families totaling eight children into one. While in Cuba, she was active in Our Ladies of Angels Handbell Choir (10 years) and singing choir (15 years).
In 1979, she took a position as a Business Education Teacher closer to home at Wellsville Central School in Wellsville, NY. While at Wellsville, she held several leadership roles including: Future Business Leaders of America Advisor, Business Education Department Head, FBLA New York State Board of Directors (5 years), Business Manager of the Musical Theater, Student Activities Treasure, and Faculty Advisory Council. She retired from Wellsville Central School in 1996.
Upon her retirement, Judy and Lowell chose to settle in Dixie Union, Georgia as her retirement home. Judy was a founding member of the Friends of Laura Walker State Park Association and served the organization faithfully as long as she was able to in many capacities including President and Treasurer. She was also a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church where she was Parish Council President for 3 years and participated in the Council of Catholic Women, CCW Quilting Club, and a member of WACT.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother Thomas Monroe (Saranac Lake, NY). Mrs. Van Druff is survived by her five daughters, Theresa Hofmann (Peter) of Fountain Hills, Arizona, Sheila Sagerer of Kettering, Ohio, Diana Caskins of Midlothian, Virginia, Teresa Newton (William) of Newport News, Virginia, Joyce Bell (Shane) of Yantis, Texas; three sons, Charles Van Druff (Julie) of Laguna Hills, California, Alyn Van Druff (Lisa) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Eric Van Druff of Olean, New York; 17 Grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sibling, James Monroe of Gray, ME; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Judy’s skills and hobbies included raising and organizing eight children; finding a way to laugh about all the bizarre things in life; telling stories with great enthusiasm and humor; flower gardening and tending a large vegetable garden; canning and freezing vegetables and making freezer jam; camping with grandchildren; bonfires; knitting, quilting, and cross-stitch; playing euchre, canasta and skip-bo; making up words; and making her kids pick up really BIG rocks, that they swear mysteriously multiplied.
A Mass of the Resurrection to celebrate the life of Judith A. Van Druff will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A rosary service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Sunday in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. Memorialization will be through cremation. Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.
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