Judy Howden

Judy Howden Judy died on September 3rd at Zilber Hospice in Wauwatosa after suffering from many years of chronic health conditions and pain. She was the daughter of Raymond Leonard Friederich and Dorothy Gene Louis, the spouse and life partner of Michael Howden for 57 years and loving mother of Terese (Tony) Wright, David Howden (Linda Shing), Eric (Gina) Howden and Sarah Howden (Francisco Cubillos), and grandmother of seven wonderful grandchildren, a truly international family. Her ancestors immigrated to the St. Louis area because of the French-German wars of the 1800’s from Hombourg-Haut, a tiny walled village near the current French-German border in Lorraine, France. She was still in contact with cousins living there. She was born in Belleville, IL, grew up in Streator, IL and graduated from Marquette University. After working for Catholic Charities in Green Bay for several years as a Social Worker and marrying Mike, the family moved to Milwaukee in 1968, choosing to live on the near Westside to raise their children amidst friendly neighbors and the family supporting programs of Neighborhood House and good schools. In 1979 they were able to purchase a house which she had liked since moving to Milwaukee, the 1856 Ludwig von Baumbach home across from Washington Park in the Washington Park Neighborhood. Judy had several interesting paid and volunteer jobs. She learned of Child Birth Education with her first child and became certified to teach and did so in Green Bay and Milwaukee. She taught married couples as well as teen age mothers and frequently attended their birthing at all hours. She worked for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office as a Victim/Witness Support Worker at Children’s Court for many years working with elderly persons who were victims of juvenile crimes. She worked as a Grief Counselor for Max A. Sass Funeral Home for several years. She volunteered for many years to support the Four Corners of the World Fair Trade Store by organizing hundreds of offsite sales. The family enjoyed camping with their children early on and Judy and Mike were able to travel extensively as they grew older visiting many States as well as Canada, Ireland, England, Bolivia, France, Colombia and Jamaica. They also enjoyed theatre and Folk Music early on and became a groupie of Robin Pluer as she sang the songs of Edith Piaf at Milwaukee venues. Judy was a great cook and loved to collect recipes and prepare meals. Judy was a great storyteller and loved to chat with everyone she met. For many years Judy loved working with house plants and created a house full of healthy plants. In recent years, despite severe health problems, she volunteered at Zilber Hospice arranging flowers donated from weddings and funerals into bouquets for residents. Other volunteers and staff at Zilber became her second family and thus her wish to spend her final days there. A Memorial Visitation will be held at the MAX A. SASS & SONS FUNERAL HOME (1515 W. Oklahoma Ave. Milw. WI) on Saturday September 11, 2021 from 12 noon until time of services at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Save the Children, Zilber Family Hospice, Neighborhood House of Milwaukee or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Private Interment. The family asks that you please have a mask with you and wear it at the services. If you are unable to attend the service click on the TRIBUTE WALL tab to view the service.