Reverend Judith Neiman was welcomed home to the Lord October 06, 2017 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, Kalamazoo, MI. She was born in Flint, MI on November 16, 1938. Judith was preceded in death by her loving husband and team mate, Reverend Joseph Neiman after 40 years of marriage.
Also preceded her are her parents, Frank and Leona Guza and a brother Tom.
Judi is survived by her brother Frank in Alabama; a sister-in-law, Karen Treadway and her niece and nephews Jennifer, John, Jerry and Jamey Maue.
After graduating from Marywood Academy at 17, she entered the Order of St. Dominic in Grand Rapids. After attending Aquinas College and theological studies she was sent to Mercy Central School of Nursing, received her R.N. and was sent to work in a private psychiatric hospital the Order owned in New Mexico. Judi was then sent to work in a community owned hospital in Brawley, CA, staffed by the Dominican Sisters. She was operating supervisor for 7 years as well as part-time Campus Chaplain for the local college. She studied campus ministry at Stanford University. After Vatican 2, community life disintegrated. She was thinking of leaving the Order. They sent her to Divine Word International Center in London, Ontario. She met her future husband there. After 15 years she left convent life which took a year to receive a dispensation from Rome. She lived with friend, Dr. Anne Rumsey who was retired as she became familiar with the secular life. She moved to Port Huron, MI and became the Director of Nurses at Mercy Hospital. Judi and Joseph dated off and on for 4 years before being wed for 40 years. Joseph became an Episcopal Priest and later Judi a Deacon. Together they served in a joint ministry for 25 years at St. Mark’s in Paw Paw, MI. Judi was also Hospice Chaplain for 15 years. After retirement in 2006, they attended and were part time clergy at St. Martin of Tours in Kalamazoo, MI.
Judi has been cremated and will be interred in the columbarium at St. Martin of Tours next to her husband. A Service of Celebration will be celebrated October 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Martin of Tours Church, Kalamazoo, MI with Reverend Mary Perrin to officiate.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to St. Martin of Tours Discretionary Fund to serve persons who are in need.
Charitable donations may be made to:
St. Martin of Tours Discretionary Fund
2010 Nicholas Road, Kalamazoo MI 49004