Judith Suzanne (Salm) McGill

Judith “Judy,” S. McGill, 77, passed away at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima,
Ohio, on August 23, 2019 at 8:37 pm. She was born on January 5, 1942, the only child of William E. and Monica E. (Mumaw) Salm, who have preceded her in death. On May 5, 1962 Judy married Joseph O. “Joe,” McGill, they were devoted sweethearts until his passing on May 13, 2018.

Judy was a stay-at-home mother while raising her children and managed the family household, but also worked at Wagner Manufacturing YMCA, Shelby County Directory, the American Cancer Society, and the Amos Public Library

Judy had contracted polio at age 10. Dr.’s didn’t expect her to live, but, when she did, she was told she’d never walk or have children. She did both, and more, much more. She taught swimming to young children at the YMCA through the Red Cross when she was in her teens. After graduating from Holy Angels High School, she then attended Mt. St. Joseph’s in Cincinnati. Judy was an excellent violinist but gave that up to study and play piano exclusively. In later years, she played for various choirs at Vandalia Butler High School, played the church organ for Sunday masses at St. Christopher’s in Vandalia Ohio, despite not being able to reach all the pedals, due to polio’s effects on her shorter and weaker left leg. In her 30s, Judy went canoeing, airplane riding, gardened, mowed the lawn, took walks, swam, and could shop at KMart for hours, wearing her little children out! She was determined to never let polio get in her way, and enjoyed a fulfilling life. Unfortunately, about 15 years ago, polio reared its ugly head once again in the form of Post- Polio Syndrome. Not much is known about Post-Polio Syndrome, but the theory is that the smaller nerves that had regenerated after the first bout of polio, which allowed her to use her muscles again, had worn out. This caused her to slowly lose muscle use in her legs, arms, and hands. On March 12, 2016, her “good leg,” gave way at home, and Judy found her new home at The Landings of Sidney, with the assistance she needed, and a bright yellow motorized chair and a stand lift that allowed her to get around pretty well. Judy loved turning up the speed on her motorized chair, and taking it for a spin in the parking lot. Now, that’s a great video!

Judy was interested in Ceramics, baking wonderful pies with the best pie crust in the world, macramé, some sewing, jewelry (QVC Queen), writing poetry, and was the first in line to play video games when they came out in the late 70s in video arcades. Judy fit right in with the “kids.” playing around her. She was a self-taught and avid computer user and designed her own beautiful signatures. She enjoyed playing online games with people from around the world until about 13 days before she passed away. Many of those Gamers became her friends and some, she even met in person. She also loved Teddy Bears, and had a collection of over 150 when she finally stated “That’s enough, no more bears.” Judy was intelligent, and quick witted, with a great sense of humor and memory. She could remember everyone’s birthday, and even their time of birth! Judy was known to have superior hearing, and to her kids’ dismay, it was like, “eyes in the back of her head,” nothing got past her…..Ever!

Just a few days before her death, while her children were talking around her hospital bed, Judy broke into the conversation to say, “I’m still the boss,”…. With that adorable and ornery grin on her face. Always beating the odds, always aware, and in her own way, always in charge.  Judy and Joe had 4 children, Douglas McGill, Sharon McGill, Brian McGill, and Sean (Amy) McGill, all of Sidney, Ohio. They also had 4 grandchildren, Anthony McGill of Bowling Green, Ohio; Ryan McGill, Mya McGill, and Jack McGill. Her children and family were a great source of pride and comfort to her. To quote the McGill children, “We are deeply saddened to lose Mom just 15 months and 10 days after our Father, yet so very happy that Mom has been set free from her physical limitations. We see Mom and Dad dancing, running, and frolicking together again. This time, forever".

Friends may call at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home, 502 S. Ohio Ave. Sidney, on Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 6pm-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, August 30, 2019 at 10:30 am, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Fr. Andrew Hess, officiating. Private Family Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery Sidney, at a later date. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Holy Angels Catholic Church

Online condolences may be made on the website. www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com. 

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