Judith H. Luetkemeyer

Judith H. Luetkemeyer passed away peacefully on November 4, 2023 of ovarian cancer.  At her side were her two long time friends, William J. Ayers of forty-seven years, and R. Mason Watt of twenty years.  Judy’s cancer was diagnosed in mid August.  It was extremely aggressive, succumbing to it in three short painful months.

Judy had a lifelong love of music, having studied pipe organ since her Junior high school days.  She graduated from Andrews School in Willoughby.  She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music and a Master of Library Science from Case-Western Reserve University, with an emphasis on music librarianship.  As an academic librarian, she worked at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.   When she moved to Gatlinburg, TN, she oversaw a special collection at Anna Porter Public Library, Gatlinburg, TN.

Judy had a love of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  She spent many summers as a park volunteer, and hiked many miles in her beloved Smoky Mountains.  She also loved birds, humor and a good piece of cake, especially the original Hough recipe, almost as much as her sister Mary.

According to Judy’s wishes, her ashes will be interred in the family plot at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland in a private ceremony, and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Judy was born in 1946 to Wilma (nee Rice) and Henry Luetkemeyer.   She was the youngest of four.  She is pre deceased by brother Jim, in 2017 and survived by sister Mary Luetkemeyer Cahen and oldest brother Buck Luetkemeyer.