Judith Ann (Judy) Petzing Peirce, 79, died Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach after a nine year journey with Alzheimer’s disease.
She lived in Vero Beach for 49 years.
Peirce was born Sept. 2, 1932, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Margaret and Herbert Petzing.
She grew up with her older sister Polly Petzing Schwey (also of Vero Beach) on the Niagara River.
Peirce attended the Wheatfield School, a two- room schoolhouse, and later attended Niagara Falls High School, where she graduated with honors in 1950.
Peirce married Edwin Albert (Ed) Peirce in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 15, 1932.
They moved to Vero Beach in 1963, where they raised their four children, Dale, Mark, Gary and Bonnie.
She retired from Indian River Memorial Hospital, where she served as an executive secretary to the hospital administrator, Michael O’Grady.
Peirce served as both an elder and a deacon in the church, taught Sunday school, led the youth fellowship, and was instrumental in creating the church library.
She also served for many years as the president of the Indian River Ostomy Association.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Ed Peirce, of Vero Beach; four children, Dale (Tammy) Peirce, Mark (Robbi) Peirce, Gary (Debbie) Peirce, all of Vero Beach, and Bonnie (Rene) Salazar, of Tampa; grandchildren, Esten, Devin, Melissa, Kalani, Colton, Treyson, Zachary, Hanson, Makala, Jimmy, Everett and Nathan; sister Polly E. Schwey, of Vero Beach; many nieces and nephews and countless loving friends.
She is predeceased in death by her father, Herbert Petzing and by her mother and stepfather, James and Margaret Northrup.
The family received visitors on Monday, Feb. 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Strunk Funeral Home, located at 916 17th Street in Vero Beach.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach, located at 520 Royal Palm Boulevard.
The Reverend Dr. Tim Womack and the Reverend Dr. Tom Harris officiated.
Following the service, the family held a reception in McAffee Hall at the church.
Interment at Crestlawn Cemetery followed the reception.
Memorial donations may also be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or to the V.N.A. Hospice House, 1111 35th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
The immediate family would like to thank all of the extended family and friends who has reached out during this difficult time.
Additional gratitude is extended to The Arbors at Pointe West, Palm Gardens and the VNA Hospice House.
A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
