Judith Theresa Trageser

Judith Theresa (Schrein) Trageser, aged 85, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in San Diego, CA with family by her side. 

Born on September 19, 1938 in Toledo, OH, she was the second of 3 children and the only daughter of Helen and Norman Schrein. Judy was a graduate of Julienne High School and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Dayton in 1960. 

While attending U.D., she met James Trageser at a Flyer’s basketball game at the old Fieldhouse. They were married August 27, 1960 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Dayton, and celebrated their 63rd anniversary last summer.

Judy and Jim raised 5 children together, first in Ohio and after 1978, in San Diego. Judy was active both at church and in her children’s schools. She was generous with her time and raised her children to be kind, compassionate, and self-reliant. 

Later in life, Judy worked at the San Diego Blood Bank for over a decade. Upon retirement, she served a year on the San Diego County Grand Jury.

Judy was creative at heart, expressed through multiple arts and crafts, ranging from ceramic lamps and chess pieces, to cross-stitched quilts and knitted blankets for her grandchildren. She also loved to write and returned to school to take writing classes at community college in her 40s.

But her most prolific craft by far was knitting, which she employed for the benefit of others. Over the last two decades of her life, she knitted and donated hundreds of hats to organizations meaningful to both her and her children, including hats for ICU patients, hats for infants born to mothers in need, and hats for kids in the Boys and Girls Club.

In addition to her thoughtfulness and generosity, Judy had a witty sense of humor appreciated by all those around her. Despite all the challenges she faced in the past year, she continued to make others laugh, even while in the hospital.

Judy is survived by her children, James Michael (Barbara), Theresa Hernandez (Ernie), Lia (George Humphrey), Jeff (Wendy), and Elizabeth Shulok (Thom); her brother Norman Schrein (Kathy); her sisters-in-law Barbara Brown (Hersch) and Melvina Gayo; her cherished grandchildren, Alex, Larissa, Christopher, Mattea, Elizabeth, Noah, Grayson, Connor, Aaron, Clara, Audrey, Lila and Aryll; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and older brother Dan. She now joins her beloved Jim in eternal peace.

The funeral service will be held at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, San Diego, CA, on August 26, 2024, at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, an organization dedicated to reducing deaths due to stroke and heart disease.

Judith Theresa Trageser will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her kindness, generosity and wit will be missed by all who knew her.