Joy Arlene Cudsik, aged 88, passed away of natural causes in the home she built in Fayetteville, Ga., on November 3, 2017 surrounded by her loved ones.
Joy was born to Erna Middlestaedt and Walter Engelhopt on August 6, 1929. At age 3 she went to live with her aunts, Pearl and Eileen Middlestaedt, following her mother’s untimely death.
Joy graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago, Ill., and soon after married Lawrence J. Cudsik on February 18, 1950, at St. Gall Church in Chicago.
In 1950, Larry started his own business, and he and Joy began traveling in a house trailer throughout the Southeast, contracting advertising for The Coca-Cola Company. They ultimately put down roots down in Atlanta, Ga. where Right Sales has continued to be a successful sign business that is still in the Cudsik family today.
Joy and Larry were very active members and large contributors to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and School, St. Matthews Catholic Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Care Cancer Home, the Knights of Columbus, the Archdiocese of Atlanta, among many other charitable organizations.
In her devotion to her Catholic faith, Joy was delegated as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion by the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 2010.
Joy was known for her quick wit, smarts, beauty, and generous nature. Moreover, she was widely known as a force to be reckoned with.
Joy is preceded in death by her mother Erna (age 26), father Walter (age 71), husband Lawrence J. (age 58) and son Larry (age 64).
She is survived by her children Gay Socha, and Guy Cudsik, daughter-in-law Joy S. Cudsik, grandchildren Dakota Socha, Ashley Cudsik, and Kel Cudsik, granddaughter-in-law Kayla Cudsik, and great grand children Opal and Olive Cudsik (8 months).
Joy enjoyed playing cards and traveling. She was a champion bowler, church softball player, fitness enthusiast, successful businesswoman, and loving grandmother. Her presence will truly be missed by all.
Visitation will be held at St. Matthews Catholic Church on Thursday, November 16, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Memorial Mass will also be held at St. Matthews (215 Kirkley Rd, Tyrone, Ga. 30290) on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the Cudsik family asks that you donate to the National Aphasia Association in Joy’s honor. (National Aphasia Association. P.O. Box 87 Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 or www.aphasia.org).
