Obituary of Judith A. Consedine

Judith A. Consedine of 92 South Shore Rd., passed away Friday, May 13, 2016, at the Olean General Hospital, following a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving husband and family. Judy was born August 23rd 1944 in Dayton, OH. She was the only daughter of Henry Koeck and Margaret Freese also of Dayton. She was a 1962 graduate from Julienne High School She then went onto matriculate and graduate from Dayton University with a BA in education in 1966. Judy was an educator for over four decades, Her first position was at Wayne H.S. in Dayton, OH. She married John R. Consedine of Olean, in Sept. 1969 whom she met in college. She gave birth to her ?first son John Christopher at Ft. Lee, VA on April 7th 1970. She soon followed her husband on active duty with the U.S. Army for a teaching assignment with the U.S. Department of Defense in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning home, Judy obtained a teaching position at Depew H.S. outside Buffalo, N.Y. from 1973-75. On November 29, 1973 she gave birth to her second son, Timothy Daniel. She taught in various teaching positions after relocating to Olean, N.Y. in 1975 until 1979 mostly as a substitute teacher within the Olean public school system. Judy earned a MA in English from St. Bonaventure University in May 1980. In 1981, she taught at the Brookwood H.S. in Lilburn, GA, outside Atlanta, GA. She then earned a teaching position at St. John's Parochial Elementary School in Olean from 1982-84 followed by a longtime position as a Global Studies, American History, and English instructor (AP) at Scio Central High School from 1984-2008 where she retired. Judy served as the student council advisor there. Judy received numerous awards during her education career. Most notably, she was awarded "Teacher of the Year" at Scio Central High School in 2002. She was also recognized as a "Distinguished Educator" in the "Who's Who Among American Teachers" competition, 2004-05. Judy received a civil meritorious service medal for teaching military personnel at Kadena AFB in Okinawa during the Vietnam Conflict (1970-71). Judy received an accommodation from the Veterans of WW II for a special tribute project performed by her and her students, called "Living History." Judy inspired some students to become educators themselves. Her teaching reflected her adopted philosophy: "Students are not vessels to be filled but are flames to be lit." While at Scio, she lit many flames of learning. Judy, a devout Catholic, served the Church as a member and chairwoman of the Bishops Committee (1975-80). She was a long-time member of the St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Olean N.Y. She taught religious education at Brookwood H.S., in Lilburn, GA, and in other settings in Olean and Cuba, NY. She was also a member of the Cuba/Our Lady of the Angels Bible Study Group. Judy was a lover of books and music. She supported "Friends of Good Music". Her hobbies included decorating, gardening, cooking, all things Irish and watching the quiz show Jeopardy daily. In addition to her husband John, Judy is survived by her two sons John Christopher of Cuba, NY and Timothy Daniel (Cheryl M.) of Beverly, MA. Her two grandsons John "Jack" Monroe and Dylan Mark, her brother in-law Daniel N. (Connie) Consedine, sister-in-law Nancy (Rockwell) Consedine, and nieces Elizabeth P. (Consedine) Walla and Eileen Consedine. Friends will be received on Wednesday May 18, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 E. State Street, Olean. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 beginning with a prayer service in the funeral home at 9:30 followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary of the Angels Church. The Rev. Gregory J. Dobson, Pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Olean Public Library, 134 North Second St., Olean, New York 14760 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.