Memorial

Geraldine “Judy” Kathryn McGrath
January 15, 1938 - September 5, 2026

The world, my world, is not the same today as it was. The strongest person I ever met is no longer here.

My mom, Geraldine Kathryn McGrath, Judy to all who knew and loved her, passed away September 5th, on her terms and in her time, as she did most things. 
Her work here was done.

Judy grew up in a four-bedroom house in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with six brothers, five sisters, her mother and father (Gerry and Bud), as well as her grandmother. Being a strong woman at that time was not something you talked about, it was just something you did. Judy’s dad left early every morning to run his dry-cleaning business. Her mother in turn ran the household. Of course, Gerry couldn’t single-handedly do all that had to be done, so everyone and especially the older siblings needed to pitch in. Judy was the fifth born and quick to rise to that call. In those early days, she learned what it meant to work hard, all that went into being a good mother, but even more she discovered the genuine blessing that was a family. 

As a young woman, Judy was as discerning as she was beautiful. In her freshman year of high school, she was a cheerleader, played the clarinet in the marching band, and made it her business to know nearly everyone in her class by name. Judy being Judy, she was quick to introduce herself when she saw someone she didn’t know. New to the town and the school, Bruce, this six foot two, 15 year-old was as awkward and out of place as you could be. What Judy saw in the moment was someone who needed a friend, but in conversation after conversation, what she uncovered was the man she could build a life with. She clearly saw something in Bruce even before he could see it, she understood what an amazing friend, husband and father he would turn out to be.

As a married couple, there was simply no shade between these two. Bruce and Judy went from being individuals to being one thing. Their bond unbreakable. They were each other’s best counsel and fiercest advocate. When they chose to venture West to California as a young family with two kids in tow, it was Judy and Bruce hand-in-hand. Three years later, when they decided to move back to the Midwest to join his family’s business, they had the same resolve. There were some lean times early in this bargain, but with each of them having the other’s back, they never lost faith.

Raising a family of seven kids, you’d expect it to be challenging to keep order in our home.  But outnumbered and often outsized, Judy was just 5 feet 3 inches tall, she still never raised her voice and her authority was absolute. Period. End of discussion. Amidst all the activity and controlled chaos of our daily lives, mom managed to impart in us something we wouldn’t understand until years later. She gave us all an invaluable gift: Belief. Belief in ourselves and belief in our ability to overcome whatever obstacles stood between us and where we wanted to be. Our mom was the perfect model of that every day of her life.

While being a mother was second nature to Judy, having grandkids was something altogether different. It was FUN! In this new role, Grandma Judy was the perfect accomplice. Whatever scheme the grandkids cooked up for an afternoon of adventure, Judy was all in. And somehow, throughout her years, she had the magical ability to move space and time to occupy the same age and wonderment of whomever she was playing with.

All who knew Judy understood her inherent kindness. However, this was not something reserved just for her friends and family. Especially in her later years, when the world was not so clear to her eyes, Judy’s empathy for others was boundless. To complete strangers, ages 2 to 92, Judy was the friendly face, the surprising encounter, the comfortable conversation that they didn’t know they needed until she so graciously provided it. 

Like her parents before her, Judy felt God’s love every single day and was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. Further, Judy had a commitment to lift up others, something born out in her volunteering and her charity throughout her life.

Judy was preceded in death by her lifelong love, her husband Bruce who passed away on June 11, 2026. We can all still hear Bruce’s familiar greeting to his best friend, “Judy, Judy, Judy.” He knew that a single mention of her name was simply not enough for this exceptional woman.

Judy is survived by her seven children, twenty grandchildren, six great grandchildren, as well as eight of her dear siblings.

Children: Mary and “JR” Rink; Mike and Lisa McGrath; Janet and Scott Satterlee; Sean and Maureen McGrath; David McGrath and Danielle Barr McGrath; Brian McGrath and Ruby McGrath Donald; Maureen McGrath.

Grandchildren: Jeff, Dawn, William and Emma Rink; Murphy (Emily), Griffin, and Tucker (Kerriane) McGrath; Henry and Shea Satterlee; Brittany (Chris) Jordan, Allyse (Jeff) Riecke, and Jackson McGrath; Georgia, Magnus, and Daniel McGrath; Mats and Melody McGrath and Ben McGrath Donald; Louie and Wilson Faphimai.

Great Grandchildren: Maddie, Amaya, Lucy, Raegan, Calvin, and Robby.

Siblings: Patty Farber, Mary (Jerry) Baskfield, Mike (Lorna) Shea, David Shea,  Carole (Greg) Sleight, Dick (Sharon) Shea, Daniel Shea, Julie Selz. In-laws: Sis Shea, Joanne Shea. 

Rosary and visitation on Wednesday September 9, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 10th at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding. Entombment to take place immediately following the funeral at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Reception to follow.

Memorials can be given in Judy’s name to: Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy where she peacefully spent her final days. The family requests no plants or flowers, please.