Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Judith Monica Blazonin

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Judith Monica Blazonin, of 709 Wilson St., Ironwood, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

The former Judith Mosconi was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Montreal, Wis., daughter of the late Timothy and Eugenia (Bresadola) Mosconi, both immigrants from northern Italy near the Austrian border. Judy attended school in Montreal and Hurley, Wis., and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School with the class of 1944.

After graduation, Judy left for Chicago, where she would work and reside for seven years. She worked for SunKraft Manufacturing for a short time, and then for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She had fond memories of her time in Chicago, and often spoke of the day when World War II ended and ticker tape rained throughout Chicago and ice skating at Lincoln Park after work. She then returned home to Montreal to fill a position vacated by her sister at the Montreal Mining Office. She worked there until she married.

On Sept. 6, 1952, Judy married Frank "Red" Blazonin, of Bessemer. She and Frank became lifelong residents of Ironwood. He preceded her in death on July 27, 1995, as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Judy and Frank raised three daughters, Debra, Cindy and Maribeth. Judy was a devoted stay at home mom who thoroughly loved and enjoyed her family. This was the job she loved the most. When her children finished high school, Judy returned to the workforce in Ironwood. She worked for Sellstrom Manufacturing until its closure, and then for a short time at Ironwood Laundry until she retired.

Judy was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and the Red Hat Society. She loved life, her family, her pets and nature. She loved her daughters and their husbands and especially loved her only grandchild, David. She doted on David and was very proud of him. She was a very kind, loving and generous Noni who knew how to have fun and make you feel special. Hard work, strong faith and love for family are some of the values she instilled in her children and grandchild.

Judy was an avid skater, cross country skier, and gardener. Her flowers, roses and vegetable garden were always spectacular. She loved to can her homegrown produce, and everyone loved her antipasto and canned sweet peppers. Judy loved the seasons and holidays, and would always decorate her home for each one. She loved to travel. She and her husband took many trips before his death, and after that she continued to travel, taking her only grandson with her. She traveled throughout all of the United States and most of Canada. Her travels took her to many countries in Europe, Mexico and the Bahamas. She especially loved her trip to northern Italy, where she met many living cousins and saw her parents' birthplaces. Her most recent travel adventure was this past August to Puerto Rico with the entire family. She loved when the family was all together.

Judy loved music and dancing, dressing up and jewelry. She loved to bake and cook and everyone loved her gnocchis, canedli and Italian cookies. She loved her cottage on Eel Lake and fishing. She loved and appreciated the beauty of nature and instilled that in her children and grandchild. She loved Christmas and being together laughing and telling stories. She always wanted to make others happy and never worried about herself. She loved animals, especially her late pet dog, Dobie, and loved feeding and watching her wild birds. Judy was fun loving and had a zest for living life to the fullest right to the end. Judy was a very loving wife, a perfect mother and a very special "Noni." She was a kind, fun loving and devoted friend to many. She loved her Tuesday bowling and coffee group of friends and her Friday fish fry and Sunday after church friends. She was a well-loved and respected woman.

Survivors include three daughters, Debra Pajula (David), of Norway, Cindy Blazonin-Niemi (Michael), of Ironwood, and Maribeth Hecker (Rick Garza), Wake Forest, N.C .; a very special grandson, David Hecker, Charlotte, N.C .; two sisters, Mary Stanczak, Milwaukee, and Lee Barnaby, Champlain, Minn .; one sister-in-law, Bernice Lerza and her husband Gene, Neenah, Wis .; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, Judy was preceded in death by her in-laws, Nick and Mary (Verbos) Blazonin; her brother, Phil Mosconi and his wife Barbara; her brothers-in-law, Joseph Stanczak and Frank Barnaby; and a nephew, Timothy Stanczak.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow at Manny's in Ironwood.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring.

Pallbearers will be David Pajula, Michael Niemi, Rick Garza, David Hecker, Patrick Stanczak and Phil Mosconi.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.