Judith ”Judy” G. Foley

She was born March 1, 1940, in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Harry and Margaret (Morgester) Gilbert.

Judy graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1958 and earned an associate’s degree at the Jamestown Business College. She also completed collegiate studies at SUNY Fredonia. Judy previously worked for the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, as well as at the former Gazebo and Tower Gifts stores in Fredonia. She served as a member of the Dunkirk School Board in the late 1980s, was active in the Dunkirk Yacht Club for many years, along with her husband Dr. James P. Foley, and was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Judy was a very artistic and creative person. She completed a number of freelance graphic designs for local organizations including the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and Lake Shore Savings Bank, among others. Judy loved interior decorating, cooking, boating and hosting dinners for family and friends. She had many lifelong friendships, including her 70-year friendship with her closest friend, Patricia (Elias) Wlodarek of Dunkirk.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, and her favorite role was as “Gammi” to her beloved grandson, Andrew Ellman, whom she taught to draw and paint, cook and have fun.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, James P. Foley, DDS, and children: Rachel Foley (Tim Murphy) and Jennifer Foley, DDS (Todd Ellman); and one grandchild, Andrew Todd Ellman. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, John (Jeannette) Foley; and her sisters-in-law: Jeanne (Roy) Stokes, Agnes (Robert) Foley and Vel (John) Koch, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: John “Jack” (Nancy) Gilbert, Jean (John) Koch and June (Jack) Allen. She was also predeceased by her brother-in-law, Robert Foley.

A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Dunkirk. There will be no calling hours and flowers are respectfully declined. The family requests that masks be worn during the church service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to either the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School in Dunkirk or the Darwin R. Barker Library in Fredonia.

Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.