Rita (Judy) Francis Fraser was born October 2nd, 1942, to the late James Manuel Fraser and Rita Frances Fraser, in Ohsweken Ontario. She attended school in both Ohsweken, Ontario and Buffalo, New York.
On August 24th, 1966, Judy married Gordon (Bumper) Farmer, and shortly thereafter they moved to Buffalo, New York. Judy worked retail at Lob Laws and A&MA’s, and later became employed with the Buffalo Board of Education, working with at-risk Native American students and their families. After nearly 20 years of dedicated service, Judy retired and returned to Ohsweken, Ontario with her husband and son Gordy to live permanently.
Judy volunteered for various organizations, including Dream Catchers, and Indian Defense League of America, creating Christmas gift baskets for families of the Six Nations and helping to organize Wilma General Memorial, among other activities. Judy especially cherished time with her grandchildren, traveling back and forth to Buffalo so as not to miss out on any extracurricular activities of her four grandkids. Anyone who knows Judy knows she loved her family with all her heart. In fact, Judy’s grandchildren inherited her love of sports; she played and coached softball for a Native American Buffalo team, and she and Bumper learned golf in retirement. Judy and Gordon shared a love of traveling, visiting Florida, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Vancouver, British Columbia, Virginia Beach, and Washington DC to name a few. As much as Judy loved to travel, every holiday was spent at home with family, celebrating everyone’s birthdays with cake and a favorite meal, and summers swimming at her sister’s house with all the family. Everyone will remember Judy as a kind, conscientious, generous, loving and devoted sister, mother, grandmother, wife, best friend, and neighbor, who will be missed by all who were blessed to meet her and be part of her life.
Above all else, Judy’s faith was vitally important to her and her greatest pride; every morning started with a prayer and communion, her days were filled with spreading the word to those she loved, and every evening spent in thankful devotion to the Lord. After a brief illness, Judy was called home to be with the Lord on March 18th, 2016.
Judy was preceded in death by her sister Wilma Fraser General, niece Diane Hill, daughter Lisa Marie Farmer, husband Gordon Bumper Farmer, uncle Morris (Morrie) General and brother Edwin Thomas Fraser. Judy’s greatest achievement and pride came from her 44 year loving marriage to Gordon. Gordon and Judy are happily and prayerfully reunited in heaven with Wilma, Lisa, Ed, Morrie and Diane.
Judy leaves to cherish her memory: three children, Mary (Peanuts) Roundpoint, Shirley Farmer-Tyner and Gordon (Gordy) Farmer; her son-in-law Ron Tyner; her sister Shirley Garnet Farmer; and her four grandchildren Cassie Marie, Marcus Daniel, Kaitlyn Cavalieri, and Elijah Cullen; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Resting at the Styres Funeral Home 1798 4th. Line, Ohsweken after 4 p.m. Monday. Evening Service 7 p.m. Monday. Funeral Service will be held at the New Credit Fellowship Centre on Tuesday March 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. Interment at the Family Homestead.
“To me, it means that I am free, peaceful, and loved by my HEAVENLY FATHER and my LORD JESUS, and I am filled with the Holy Spirit.” ~Judy’s notes to herself in her cherished prayer book