Judy (fondly known as JAM) VanBeber Merilic, 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on April 8th at Riverside Hospital while surrounded by family.

Judy was born in Waynesboro, VA and moved to the Peninsula 70 years ago.  She was fiercely dedicated to her 2 children and her work, especially C&P Telephone (Bell Atlantic/Verizon), where she retired after 30 years of service with perfect attendance.

She always made time for volunteering and was a Board member for Phoebus Little League Baseball for 27 years, then worked at the Cat Corner in Hampton.  Her only real 'hobby' was giving to others; whether she was opening her home for the 'down and out', joking with the cancer nurse or grocery cashier, or being there for you when no one else was; she was loved everywhere she went.

Judy was a member of Liberty Baptist (Live) Church in Hampton, where you would see her 'scooting' around with her family every Sunday, even while living with advanced kidney failure and lung cancer for many years.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and husbands.  Left to treasure her memory are her daughter, Barbara Sobczak and husband, Paul, of Suffolk, and a son, Gary Merilic, Jr. and his wife, Tiffany, of Newport News. She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Brittany, Alexus, Aaron, Dominick, Anthony, and Joanna; and great grandchildren, Gabriel, Isla, and Rylan.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Liberty Live Church CHAPEL, 1021 Big Bethel Rd, Hampton, VA.

Flowers can be received on Saturday morning at the church, or donations may be made to the American Kidney Association.