Judy Courtney

MADISON – Judy Courtney, 91, of Madison died peacefully at Tivoli in Portage on October 4th, 2024.

Judy was born in Madison to Milo Ponti and Julia (Krupa) Ponti on July 27, 1933. She spent her life in and loved Madison, graduated from Edgewood High School in 1951, and The University of Wisconsin with a B.S. Degree in Medical Technology in 1955. Her degree led her to a 40-year career in service to the State of Wisconsin.

Judy had a brilliant, engaging, engaged, and generous mind.

Brilliant - Judy carved out a career in the laboratory and in the developing field of laboratory compliance working as a Medical Technologist for UW Hospital Clinical Labs and the State of Wisconsin Division of Health. She authored medical articles and directed federal grant projects. She began as an inspector, then taught, and eventually advanced to Administrative Director – a position rarely held by women in that era.

Engaging - Judy traveled, she was well read; she did the Times crossword in pen; she played bridge with friends each week and was a winner at games of all sorts. She knitted, crocheted, cooked, baked (her mother was a baker), and collected coins. She enjoyed many of these activities with her friends and family in her retirement. She was a longtime member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra League and the Metropolitan Woman’s Club, of Madison, Wisconsin.

Engaged - Judy knew the names, occupations, spouses, and children of her nephews, their wives, cousins, and second cousins. She enjoyed keeping up with and retelling their stories.

Generous - Judy used her talents to volunteer in many ways. She read to the blind. She prepared tax returns. She gifted many charities. Judy encouraged and modeled for two generations of career women inside and outside of her family.

Judy Courtney was preceded in death by her parents, Milo and Julia Ponti; her sister, Betty Harkins and brother-in-law Ed Harkins, both of Portage. She is survived by her nephews, Jeffrey, Dennis, Charles, Tim, and Jack and their wives Barb, Jane, Mary, Lori, and Shelly; and by her grandnieces and grandnephews, David, Liz, Gwen, Julia, Daniel, Katherine, Elizabeth, Nathan, Joseph, Lauren, Lukas, Sam, Lilly, Grace, and Grant; and great grandnieces and nephews Mia, Claire, Lukas, Vivian, Max, Zeke, Finn, Eduardo, and Mariana. We will all miss her.

Judy's family would like to thank Dr. Kelly Herold, at UW Health, Heather, at Agrace Hospice, the staff and Sye at Aspirus Tivoli Assisted Living.

Per Judy’s wishes, no formal services will be held. The family will have a private celebration of
life.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.