March 29, 1942 – March 9, 2024
Judy was born and raised in Toronto and would often take the train to Stratford to visit her extended family who lived in the surrounding areas.
Judy left home at age 19 to join the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as a nun and was stationed in Reading, Pennsylvania. In the 9 years that she lived as Sister Mary David, Judy worked tirelessly advocating for the poor and disenfranchised, and even learned Spanish to assist with translations. She was a strong supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and was arrested once for participating in a protest while wearing her habit!
When her superiors decided that she would study to become a teacher, she discovered a new lifelong passion.
Judy left the convent to marry her high school sweetheart, John MacRae. Together they raised their three adopted children, Kevin, Louisa (Lou-Lou) and Mira. Judy had always expressed that being their mother was the greatest joy in her life.
She continued working as a teacher for the TCSS and as a pastoral worker at St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish. After her divorce, Judy moved to Stratford to manifest a new dream as the proprietor of the Butterfly Garden Bed and Breakfast. She was warmly welcomed to Stratford by her aunts and cousins and especially by the wonderful women who became known as the “Twisted Sisters”!
She was called back into teaching for a time at Anne Hathaway and then at Upper Thames where she had her dream job as a special education teacher in an amazing classroom. One of Judy’s many passions was providing Marriage Preparation Courses, which she ran through St. Gabriel’s and St. Joseph’s, until her retirement.
Her many volunteer efforts include: Romeo School’s Breakfast Club, St. Michael’s Social Justice Club, Faith Alive Summer Camp, Camp Menesetung, Out From the Cold, the Refugee Settlement Committee, as well as being the most enthusiastic volunteer for the Huron Perth Alzheimer’s Society.
Judy truly was a sacred soul whose light, love and joy will live on in those who were blessed by knowing her.
Judy was predeceased by her parents, Hewson Hoffman and Doris Pigeon, and is survived by her siblings, Mary, Joanne and Steve Hoffman, her three children Kevin, Louisa (Lou-Lou) and Mira MacRae. She will be remembered lovingly by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Family and friends may gather at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 96 Huron Street, Stratford on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Huron Perth through W.G. Young Funeral Home www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
