Judith Matilda Rodia

Judith Matilda (Fross) Rodia, of Indianapolis, formerly of Rensselaer, IN, passed away on July 18, 2018 at the age of 89. The daughter of the late Robert R. Fross and Gertrude (Danneberg) Fross Spielmann, and step-daughter of Kurt Spielmann, Judy graduated from Hartford High School in Hartford, Wisconsin in 1946 and attended Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago until 1949, when she married her beloved husband of 51 years, the late Dr. Jacob S. Rodia.
Judy was a devoted wife, nurturing mother, adoring grandmother, loving sister, and steadfast friend. She was a voracious reader and frequent library patron. A lifelong learner, Judy continuously expanded her knowledge reading books, magazines, and newspapers, and watching PBS. She was a caring aunt who expressed her love by sending many handwritten letters to family and friends.
She admired Impressionist and American art, and cherished trips to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Eiteljorg Museum. Judy was captivated by trains; she fondly recalled riding the ‘L’ in Chicago with her older brother, Chuck, and enjoyed visiting Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg. An avid cook and baker, Judy was known for delicious pasta dishes and gingerbread cookies. She also enjoyed knitting afghan blankets.
After her marriage to “Jay,” as Judy affectionately called her husband, she raised five children while she perfected her packing skills to help move the family to five different cities. Judy and Jay spent 27 years in Rensselaer, where they were active at St. Joseph’s College and St. Augustine Catholic Church. Judy studied core curriculum classes at the college and worked as a nurse’s aide at the Jasper County Hospital.
Judy and Jay moved to Bloomington in retirement and attended public lectures, operas, concerts, and musicals at Indiana University. They continued their involvement with church activities at the St. Paul Catholic Center. Judy loved swimming regularly at the YMCA and her neighborhood pool. Judy spent her last 18 years in Indianapolis, where she made wonderful friends, traveled often with family, and frequented the Metropolitan Opera Live at her local movie theater.
She is survived by two brothers, John (Susie) Spielmann of Hartford, WI, Daniel (Elizabeth) Spielmann of Green Bay, WI; children, Susan (John) Cunningham of St. Louis, Stephen (Sue) Rodia of Portage, MI, Jay (Nancy) Rodia of Indianapolis, Anne Richardson of Terre Haute, IN, and Nancy (Ihor) Boyko of Indianapolis; two grandchildren, Nicole Rodia (William Westrick) of Palo Alto, CA, and Steven (Laken) Richardson of Terre Haute; three great-grandchildren, Liam, Lynlee and Lainey; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brother, Charles Fross, and grandson, Michael Cunningham.
Memorial services will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Ave, in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 25, with visitation at 1 to 4 pm and a Celebration of Life at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, https://www.indyplfoundation.org/give or a favorite library.