Judith A. O'Gara, 80, a resident of Vernon Hills, IL, passed away peacefully June 9, 2026, at her home. She was born August 25, 1945, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to Cecil and Marjorie Howatt. Judith is survived by her husband of 57 years, John O'Gara, her children Stephanie (Hank) Dennis and Seann (Regina) O'Gara, and her sister Debbie Churney. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Judith graduated from Dalhousie School of Nursing in Halifax, Nova Scotia and completed her nursing training in Boston where she met her future husband who was in the Navy.

Judith retired after 35 years from St Francis Hospital in Evanston serving as Head RN of the senior care unit for over 22 years and 13 years in the GI Lab. She was a long-term resident of Glenview IL and Egg Harbor in Door County Wisconsin.

Judith enjoyed spending time with her family, supporting her children at their sports events when they were young, going to craft and antique sales, finding great crock pot recipes, painting ceramics, planting her flowers and ferns in Egg Harbor and spoiling her many dogs and grand dogs. She enjoyed traveling back to Canada as well as their many Lamers Bus travels.

Judith never forgot a holiday and found great joy in making gift bags for her children. Chances were good in that gift bag there was special soap, a kitchen towel, your favorite candies and something unique to celebrate the holiday from her favorite store TJ Maxx.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Placing Paws Rescue https://placingpawsrescue.org/

All funeral arrangements were privately held and entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.