Judith Azzano

Judith Mae (Baumgartner) Azzano passed away at the Victory Lakes Care Center in Lindenhurst, IL on April 8, 2025. She was 92 years old. She is survived by her children Larry (Kei), Chris (Jennifer), and Claudia (Rajesh Patel), and grandchildren Allison, Steven, Serena, Sophia, and Olivia. She is also survived by her brothers Kenneth (Suzanne), Michael (Kathryn), and Patric (Pauline) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Judith is preceded in death by Renzo, her husband of 58 years, her parents Frederick and Olive, and her brothers Frederick and Paul. Judith was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1932 to Olive and Frederick Baumgartner, the oldest of six children. She spent her early childhood in Detroit until her family moved to the village of Prudenville on the shores of Houghton Lake in central Michigan in 1946. She graduated from high school there as valedictorian of her class, and entered Marygrove College to study teaching. During the summers, she waited tables at the resorts around Houghton Lake. Following her graduation, she took a teaching position in the Detroit public schools. In the early 1960s, she attended a life-changing Christmas party where she met Renzo Azzano, who was also a teacher. She and Renzo were married in May of 1961 at Our Lady of the Lake church in Prudenville. Their first son, Larry, was born the following year, with Chris arriving 18 months after Larry, and Claudia four years later. The family lived in Detroit until a job offer in Traverse City drew them north. For the next 40+ years, Judith and Renzo lived in Elk Rapids and later in Acme. Judy, or “Mrs. Azzano” as she came to be known, taught elementary and middle school in the Traverse City school system for many years until she retired in 1994. She taught hundreds of people over her 27 years as an educator. In 2015 Judith and Renzo moved to IL to be closer to family.. Besides family and teaching, Judith loved music, travel, playing cards (especially bridge),water aerobics and needlepoint. Her first thought was always of other people, a quality that never left her. In her later years, Judy was known by the Victory Lakes staff for always having a positive attitude and never having a bad day. Judith is lovingly remembered for many things including her infectious smile, cheerful disposition, and her way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world. The family will hold a celebration-of-life service in the near future, in Prudenville, MI. If you would like to honor Judith, please feel free to make a charitable contribution in her name to one of the following organizations: Father Fred Foundation or JourneyCare Hospice The family wishes to thank the staff of Village at Victory Lakes Franciscan Care and the Journey Care Hospice team for their loving care of Judith for the last several years.

Judith Azzano

October 18, 1932 - April 8, 2025

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