On Friday, July 10, 2026, Judith Ann Cyphert Montgomery of Strattanville, Pa passed away at the age of 88. She was born on 25 March 1938 in Kane PA to Kendall Stewart Cyphert and Dorothy Wendlene Jacox Cyphert. She grew up in Johnsonburg PA, graduated from Johnsonburg High School in 1956, and then attended Waynesburg University for two years as part of a five-year program with the University of Pittsburgh to earn a BS and RN in Nursing from Pitt.

Judy graduated from Pitt in April 1961 and married Ron Montgomery on 3 June 1961. Judy and Ron met while they were both attending Waynesburg University. After their honeymoon at Letchworth State Park in New York state, the newlyweds attended Judy's formal graduation at Pitt and drove to Durham, NC to begin their life together.

Upon arrival in Durham, Judy began her career in nursing at Watts Hospital and fourteen months later she began her career as mother, with the birth of identical twin girls. She continued this dual career by working in nursing when time permitted and devoting full time to family between employment cycles. During her breaks from nursing, she served as a volunteer nurse in various capacities, especially with the American Red Cross. Over the years she experienced industrial, hospital and family-practice nursing.

Judy is survived by her husband Ron and her four children: Cheryl (Duncan Lane), Sharon (Andrew Turner), Wendlene (David Lavey) and David (Lauren DeFalco) and 11 grandchildren: Rachel Waychunas, Bradley Waychunas, Ryan Challener (Emily), Tristan Challener (Lydia), Caleb Turner, Joshua Turner, Kaitlyn Lavey (Christian Landis), Sarah Klaus (Andrew), Connor Lavey, Jake Montgomery, Shane Montgomery, two great grandchildren Guinevere Challener and Elliot Klaus and her sister Kay Heffner of Coudersport PA.

Judy has been active in the Presbyterian Church all of her adult life. Although she served her church in many ways over the years, her special mission was visiting and working with the elderly as a Caring Caller. She gave the companionship of conversation and even communion to those who were either physically or mentally isolated from the world. She focused on that mission for decades. She insisted she received more than she gave. We are proud of her effectiveness and devotion to her life-long mission. Judy also had a love of history. She was excited to verify that she descended from a Revolutionary War soldier, and joined and became active with the Daughters of the American Revolution for several years.

As a nurse, wife, mother, grandmother and Caring Caller, Judy saw life's sometimes harsh realities up close, but she retained an endearing outlook that allowed her to see pleasantness everywhere. She greeted the world, and especially the people in it, with an engaging and unaffected smile. She truly liked people and enjoyed interacting with them.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Dorothy Wendlene Jacox & Kendall Stewart Cyphert, and her grandparents Mary Lucinda Robinson & Chester DuVern Jacox and Edith May Stewart & Winfield (Cooze) Cyphert. One grandchild, Sharon's Jacquelyn Challener, was lost to SIDS at the age of 2 months.

Judy felt blessed to have had the opportunity to receive a higher education and to be able to provide such to her children. Gifts in her memory in lieu of flowers may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion, PA, or to the following university endowments that she and her husband have started: The Ronald E. and Judith A. Endowed Fund for Scientific Travel at Waynesburg University or the Ronald E. and Judith A. Montgomery Excellence in Nursing Endowed Scholarship at Waynesburg University.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6-8 pm at the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St, Clarion with funeral services to be held at 11:00 Wednesdays from the First Presbyterian Church in Clarion with Rev. Rebecca Mihm officiating.

Interment will be held at the Lawn Haven Burial Estates.

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