Judith Gail Brand's Obituary
Judith Gail Brand, Age 88, of Land O Lakes Florida, passed away in the afternoon of September 30th 2024. Judith was born on July 1st 1936, in Brooklyn New York to George Strasser and Mary (Brennan) Strasser. The youngest of 7, her siblings George, Betty, Barbara, Carol, Jean, and John; grew up in what was then the “third oldest house in Brooklyn”. As a family, they raised chickens, tended a victory garden, and helped feed their neighbors during the Depression and the second World War. She learned to play the piano and that singing around it was as much a part of family life as being a Brooklyn Dodger fan.
She attended NYU and graduated with a degree in X-Ray Technology and Radiography. She met and fell in love with a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean war, Francis Joseph Kaczmarek. Widowed in 1972, she persevered and continued to raise their 6 children whom she is survived by today. Francis Kaczmarek (Susan), Stephen Kaczmarek, Mary Iwanyckyj (Peter), Anne Kaczmarek, Ellen Crocker (Bubba) and Laurence Kaczmarek (Christine). She has been blessed with 12 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.
In 1980, Judith met the second love of her life and after a long-distance courtship, married Frederick Nathaniel Brand. She packed up and moved from Smithtown NY to be with him in Santa Clara, California – with some of her children in tow. Fred was a Project Manager for Lockheed and convinced Judith of a career change. She began earning a business accounting degree, and working for Lockheed as an accounting analyst. Fred eventually developed complications from diabetes and passed in 1987. Once again, Judith was a widow.
Judith’s deep faith in God, and with the strength she instilled in her family, Judith refocused, counted her blessings and looked forward. Her career in Lockheed flourished and was she able to purchase a neglected home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the sleepy seaside hamlet of Pacifica, California. Family helped Judith rebuild the house into a comfortable welcoming home where many cherished memories were made.
In 1996, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer requiring her to undergo a very aggressive form of treatment. The cancer abated and she was still cancer free after her 10 year assessment. The treatment had consequential side effects subjecting her abdominal area to many other ailments as she grew older. She had 2 failed hip replacement surgeries because of the pelvis becoming brittle, leaving her with out a left hip.
She soldiered on through the many other infections and maladies for nearly 30 years since her cancer diagnosis. She retired in 2004 and moved to Land O Lakes Florida with her daughter Anne and her children, once again creating an extended family home where she has spent the last 20 years of her life.
She had the enduring love and help of her family to encourage and support her through the increasingly debilitating health issues. Specifically, it was her daughter Anne who was at her side throughout this long period of decline to bring her back to health time and time again. Fittingly, it was Anne who was there for her at the end, when our mother was called home.
She was a light to many, had few rough edges, and always made family the most important priority in life. We have been, and continue to be, truly blessed by her love.
What’s your fondest memory of Judith?
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