Judith Ann Brandon (formerly Meyer), RN, BSN, CCM, EMT, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2023, in Huntsville, Alabama, holding hands with her daughter. Early that afternoon, Judy walked her final journey home to our wonderful God, and into the arms of her late son, Maj. Jack A. Meyer, Jr. (Retired, USAF); her parents, the late John Brandon and the late Aldene (née May) Brandon of Forest, Ontario, Canada; and her former husband of 25 years and best friend, the late Jack A. Meyer, Sr.
Judy was born on November 2, 1941, in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada. She moved to the United States as a young child, following her parents to a local draft horse farm located in Villa Park, Illinois. She attended Salt Creek Elementary School and graduated from York High School.
Judy met and married her former husband in 1961 and together they raised two children, the late Jack (Mary) Meyer, Jr., and Tracy Lynn (John S. Kane) Meyer Kane, both formerly of Villa Park. She found great joy in being the grandmother to Courtney Justine “CJ” Kane, Jessica Meyer, and Katie (Denzel) Valenti, and was equally thrilled to hear she had become a great-grandmother to Logan Jack Valenti. Judy bragged about being the proud big sister to her youngest sibling, Donald O. Brandon, also of Forest, Ontario. Finally, Judy was the proud Aunt to Bill Gwodz, Mike Gwodz, Terri O’Neill, Ryan O’Neill, Brad Brandon, Rick Brandon, and all their children.
Judy was a proud American, having studied hard and becoming a naturalized citizen in 1963. She furthered her education by becoming a registered nurse in 1975, and achieved greater heights in the medical field with her EMT in 1982, her BSN in 1986, and her CCM in 2011.
Judy was an attentive, loving, and sometime stern mother, who was quick with a sarcastic remark or joke. She was an independent lady who could swing a hammer in one breath and in the next soothe the anxiety of a scared child, no matter their age. She was a hands-on grandmother who lived to play with her granddaughter, loved to catch a good garage sale, and then cuddle up with a good book and her favorite candy, Red Hots.
Judy will return home to Canada to be interred privately, alongside her parents and her loving sisters, the late Peggy (née Brandon) O’Neill and late Patricia (née Brandon) Alterio, in the Brandon Family plot located in Bethel Cemetery in Warwick County, Ontario, Canada. A small family gathering will be announced at a later date.
Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.
