Judith Mae Faecher was born on July 23,1936 to Mable and Emanuel DuPuy and grew up in Youngstown, Ohio.

Although her childhood was marked by the Depression and war shortages, she always insisted that (aside from a lack of sugar) she had a happy upbringing.

She excelled in high school where she had many dear friends she maintained relationships with throughout her life. Judy was a cheerleader and played in the one basketball game a year they had for the girls. She was thrilled to watch the increasing progress made toward equality for women’s sports since then.

One of her groundbreaking achievements for her time is that she did her undergraduate work at Ohio State University and studied abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris. Judy graduated with a degree in French Civilization and then earned her Master’s in French at the University of Miami. While raising children, she returned to school and received a second undergraduate degree in soil science (agriculture) from the University of Maryland.

She met her husband, Howard Faecher, on the beach in Florida where she was working as a Spanish teacher. It was “love at first sight” and they were married only weeks later!

After a stint of numerous postings for Howard’s career as an electrical engineer (including New York, Las Vegas, Florida and Japan) the Faechers eventually settled in Baltimore, Maryland. They lived on Sylvan Drive in Lochearn (northwest Baltimore) and Judy became very involved in the neighborhood, including leading a successful fight to integrate Lochearn swim club. She befriended people from all walks of life throughout the greater Baltimore area.

Judy was a champion of women’s rights and held many pivotal roles in the Maryland League of Women Voters. She also worked tirelessly on campaigns for clean water, clean air, fair housing and supported progressive politicians, civil rights and the end of the Vietnam War.

She taught her children and grandchildren to be concerned about the world, the environment, and those who are underdogs in society. She was proud to buy markers at Ellis Island for her father and our grandparents on Howard’s side who all immigrated to America.

Judy read a wide variety of books and publications even up to the last day of her life. She found all kinds of things interesting and could talk for hours about wide ranging topics.

Judy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Gary Hein, her son Jim Faecher and his partner Michelle Lord and her daughter, Liz Faecher Crabill as well as, seven grandchildren: Rebecca (and husband Keith), Christopher (and wife Julie), Leah (and husband Danny), Harrison (and fiancé Bridgette), Preston (and wife Mikayla), Anne and Jonathan and five great grandchildren (Luke, Noah, Audrey, Howie and Benji) as well as her sister Nancy DuPuy and her brother Dudley DuPuy. She was predeceased by her sisters Jeanne and June and her husband Howard.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 12 noon at Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 12 to 3 p.m. at Gramercy Mansion, 1400 Greenspring Valley Rd., Stevenson, Maryland 21153.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 http://chesapeake.cbf.org