Obituary of Judith Dianne Pasternak

Judith Dianne Pasternak transitioned to a better place on Tuesday, October 29th 2019 at 10:42AM. She had people who loved her by her side, with her middle daughter Cortney holding her hand as she passed. 

Judi had an artist’s soul and had a way of making everyone she met feel her warmth, goodness and gratitude. From the many healthcare workers, to friends and family -- even the man at her long term care home who sold samosas on Fridays, and on hearing of her passing, talked about missing their sweet conversations  -- Judi was a woman who made a lasting impression and she will be missed. 

Judi was born in Milford Bay, Ontario to Ralph and Doris Blanchard and had an older sister Gayle. From a young age, Judi wrote poetry and played piano by ear, finding her inspiration in the woods that surrounded her country home. She would go on to become a gifted sculptor and eventually, as a young adult with three young children, Judi opened a pottery studio called Muddy Dreams.

Her motto for resolving any personal scuffle was always, “kill them with kindness” and she followed her own advice right up until the end. Judi had a remarkable way of seeing the bright side of absolutely everything. She wasn’t always dealt the best hand in life but she lived with such gratitude and grace that she was an inspiration to those who knew her. 

Her health problems caused her tremendous pain but she would climb on the Peloton bike during her physical therapy sessions and virtually “travel the world.” She’d get so excited telling her daughters of the amazing places she’d travelled to -- Israel and Greece to name a few. Her health problems would eventually leave her completely immobile and yet she would still speak of the beautiful trees out her window and the memories from her childhood. Most recently, she declared David Bowie to be her favorite musician, and the Beatles to be her favourite band, but reserved Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” as the song she loved the most. 

Perhaps Judi’s greatest attribute was the way she loved her three daughters, Debbie, Cortney, and Reagan -- fiercely and unconditionally -- happiest when they were all together with her.  She marvelled at each of her daughter’s accomplishments and showered them with love and awe. It was a love and devotion that was returned.

 To her children, Judith Dianne Pasternak’s legacy is one of compassion.  She had a profound ability to empathize, find the goodness in people, and withhold judgment of others. She’d want us all to be kinder and do better, but forgive ourselves for our limitations.

We now pray that Judi is feeling the peace that she always deserved. The world just gained one hell of an angel.

Judi will be missed beyond measure by her three daughters, son-in-laws Ralph Benmergui, and Kelcey Parker, and her three beloved grandsons, Emmanuel, Isaiah, and Milo. We will announce a time, date and place for a memorial at a later time.

If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please do so at  www.give.camh.ca through the link on her website. 

“Do not judge a person by the chapter you walked in on.” - Anonymous

Uniquely entrusted to eco Cremation and Burial Services Inc.

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