Judith Mary Veigel

Judith Mary Veigel, known throughout her long life as Judy, passed away at home in the company of her soulmate, Mickie Chuculate, in the early morning hours of June 27, 2024, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, at the age of 81.

Judy was born on September 15, 1942, in Bristol, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Frederick John Veigel and Mary Grace Kernen Veigel. Her sisters, Grace Ann Veigel Breeden and Jean Barbara Veigel Kostka, preceded her in death.

Judy is survived by her daughter Catherine Jean (Groves) Mercer and Robert Mercer, granddaughter Rae Ann (Landers) Wagner and Rich Wagner, and two great-grandchildren Winnie Avery Wagner and Wilson Hayward Wagner. She is also survived by four nieces, Sandra Lee Breeden Greene (North Carolina), Julia Grace Breeden Sophy (Pennsylvania), Mary Susan Breeden Van Domelen (Edmond), and Maria Kostka Bethany (Van Buren), and one nephew (Victor Kostka) and their spouses. In addition, Judy is survived by eleven great-nieces and great-nephews and nine great-great-nieces and nephews.

Judy graduated from Sallisaw High School in 1960. She then attended and graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing in Oklahoma City. She began her career at Doctors Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the 1970s, she worked at Sequoyah Manor Nursing Home. She later moved to Sallisaw’s  Sequoyah Memorial Hospital, where she retired in 2004. 

Judy was a proud second-generation nurse, following in her mother Mary Veigel’s footsteps, who had a long career as the Sequoyah County Public Health Nurse. Judy’s daughter Cathy and granddaughter Rae Ann are likewise 3rd and 4th generation nurses, with Cathy Mercer currently working as a Nurse Practitioner in Sallisaw.

True to her calling as a nurse, Judy was a caring and loving person. She was instrumental in the late-life care of her father, mother, and two sisters. She loved her forever home built on the family farm outside of Sallisaw with its shade trees, wildflowers, lovely gardens, and fishponds. Many a stray cat found a safe home with Judy as her nursing skills extended to her furry friends. Judy was an excellent seamstress, and her passion was quilting. Her favorite place to vacation was at the beach, as is evidenced by her vast shell collection.

Judy was buried at Akins Cemetery beside her mother and father.

In lieu of flowers, donating to the Sallisaw Animal Care Facility would warm Judy’s heart.

A Celebration of Life get-together will be held at the Homeplace at Agent Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw on Tuesday evening, July 9, from 5:30 to 7:30, with dinner provided.