Judith Ann Cardoza

Judith Ann (Judi) passed away on April 26, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. Judi was born in Oakland, California to Gertrude and Nelson Messer. Judi moved with her family to Sonoma when she was a toddler. Judi, along with her sister Susan and brother Sigurd, enjoyed participating in the family hobbies of fishing, clamming, and raising and showing Brittney Spaniel dogs.
Judi graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1958. She raised her family in Sonoma and enjoyed taking her children Dawn and Jimmy camping, water skiing and snow skiing. She even took Judo lessons with daughter Dawn. Judi loved adventure. She pursued a career in banking and later became a bank auditor for Crocker National Bank. It was during an out-of-town audit that she met Joe Cardoza, the love of her life.

Judi and Joe had a wonderful life together and enjoyed traveling and dancing; they were avid square and swing dancers. They moved to the Morgan Hill area which served as the base of their operations for their many RV trips. Later, they moved back to the Humboldt area and settled in Arcata.
Judi was a devout Catholic and was dedicated to her parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Arcata. She enjoyed being a reader and singing in the church choir. She also participated in many service organizations. She was secretary for the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America, secretary for Luzo, and past president of the Italian Catholic Federation. Judi was a social member of the Brotherhood of St. Anthony's and past secretary of the Society of the Holy Trinity.

Judi enjoyed her monthly dinners with the Merry Widows Book Club. Together with her friends Lucilla, Albertina (A), Saozinha (Z), Fatima, and Jackie, they rotated dinners at each other's homes. Great fun was had by all! Needless-to-say, their lively discussions did not include books!!

Judi had a passion for travel and was always planning the next trip. She and the Merry Widows went on several cruises together including the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. They traveled to the Azores to visit family and friends. Judi's last trip was to Italy where she visited the Vatican and went on a cooking tour. It was a dream come true.

Judi was preceded in death by her husband Joe. She is survived by her children Dawn Kuwahara and Jim (Sarah) Hunter, her stepdaughters Sue Stanfield and Pam Stephens, son in law Gary Stephens (Siva), grandchildren Evan and Adam Stolp, James (Kristina) and Jessica Hunter, Alexandra, Tom (Sabrina), and Will Stephens, Nyssa Brunke (Roger), Maxwell (Amanda), and John Brumbelow. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Kara Mazza. She also leaves behind her great grandchildren Abigail, Penelope and James Hunter, Alexander and Josephine Brunke, Henry, Dexter, Jackson, and Amelia Stephens, Kairi Brumbelow and her dear friend and sister-in-law Flora Cardoza.

Public Viewing will take place from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at Sanders Funeral Home at Wabash and E Street in Eureka followed immediately by the recitation of the rosary at Sanders. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary's Church in Arcata at ten a.m. on Saturday, May 8, followed by interment at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Eureka.