1943-2018
On February 2, 2018 Judy Magiera passed away at the age of 74 following a long battle with cancer. With her loving family at her bedside, Judy peacefully passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Judy was preceded in death by her father Merle Spillman.
She is survived by her mother Ruth Spillman of West Jordan, Utah; ten brothers and sisters; four children, Pye Magiera of Columbus, Missouri; Andrea Davidson of Winnemucca; Thomas Magiera of Fernley, Nevada; and Eric Magiera of Chicago, Illinois. Judy had five grandchildren and two great grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Born in Rushville, Nebraska Judy would also live in Utah, Nevada, California, Alaska and lastly Fernley, Nevada. Judy spent most of her life, however, living in Golconda, Nevada where her husband Tom had worked for the Western Pacific Railroad.
A true pioneer woman, Judy was involved in 4-H as well as county and state fairs for decades where she taught on dozens of different topics. She raised small livestock and was an avid gardener. Her abundant gardens would often feed the needy in her community.
She lived her faith out by regularly caring for the sick, poor and needy. Judy became a certified paramedic and a fire fighter for the Golconda Volunteer Fire Department. Often was the time when a stranded motorist would find shelter in her home.
Judy was a professional bus driver who drove school buses for Humboldt County School District as well as Washoe County School District and many districts in Alaska. She would retire from full time bus driving at Natchez School at Wadsworth, Nevada in 2007. Judy was loved and adored by the students she drove.
Judy’s love of crafting was a lifelong passion. She started many local craft shows, some of which are still in operation after decades. Her talents spanned many different art mediums from wood working, cake decoration and floral design, to painting and basket weaving. She became an accomplished painter and was also a member of the prestigious Basket Makers Guild. Her work would be found in many unique studios.
Judy’s love of family was apparent to any that knew her. She maintained a loving, God honoring relationship with her mother to the last. Her dedication to family reunions and special trips with her siblings set a standard for all to follow. Each of her children knew her unconditional love and support. As grandchildren entered her life, Judy transitioned to leaving a legacy and the sharing of her years of wisdom. And the recent arrival of great-grandbabies were just the icing on the cake, bringing her so many smiles!
Judy was a believer in Jesus Christ from her earliest years. As a Christian her favorite form of worship was singing. Whether in a church choir or a member of a worship team, Judy’s voice would praise her Savior all her years until cancer would rob her of her vocal chords.
Despite living with terminal cancer, Judy never failed to light up the world with her incredible smile. She was an amazing witness of God’s love and would frequently comment how she would willingly bear the burden of cancer if just one more of her family and friends could come to know Jesus as she did.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held in Fallon, Nevada at the First Southern Baptist Church, 900 South Taylor Street on Saturday, March 03, 2018 at 2 p.m. Those whose lives were touched by this great woman are welcome to attend.
