Judith Bashara Pleva passed away peacefully early in the morning of December 18, 2024, at age 82, after a brief illness.
She was born on November 17, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. Following high school, she attended Stevens College in Missouri and graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelors Degree in Education. After moving to Huntsville, she earned a Masters Degree in Special Education and an Educational Specialist Degree at University of Alabama in Huntsville.
As a Department of Defense teacher in Germany, she met her dear husband, Stephen Pleva, who was serving in the U.S. Army in the town of Butzbach. Together they enjoyed traveling to many corners of the world for Steve’s assignments and for pleasure. After settling in Huntsville, they had one son, Joseph George Pleva.
Judy pursued many passions – educating children in Michigan, Germany, Korea, and Huntsville; painting beautiful landscapes and nature scenes; playing Mahjong; exercising with Steady for Life, volunteering at Trade Fair; and above all, loving on her grandchildren and extended family.
Judy was a member of the Gamma Alpha Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society, an honorary teaching organization. She was an active parishioner at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, attending Mass weekly with her granddaughter, attending Deacon Paul’s Bible Study, and was a member of the Widows/Widowers Club.
Judy is pre-deceased by her husband, Steve; her parents, Nayf George and Josephine Shalhoup Bashara; her brother, George Bashara Jr; and her sisters, Gwendolyn Samuel and Barbara Elfers.
She will be deeply missed by her son, Joe (Laura); grandchildren, Clare, Cecilia, Colleen, and Stephen; sister, Carol (Tobias) George; sisters-in-law, Dana Buck and Patricia Pleva and her partner, Jim Smith; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and Judy’s dearest friend, Sue Seward, who was her guardian angel through this journey.
There will be visitation at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 9:00 am, with mass following at 10:00 am. A celebration of Judy’s life is planned for next summer.
