Judith (Lakanen) Shah

Judy was born June 11, 1941 in Negaunee, to Paul and Bertha (Prusi) Lakanen and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1959. Following graduation, she attended Northern Michigan University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. She then attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and received a Master of Arts in English in 1964.

Judy met Surendra Shah from Mumbai, India when they were in college and were married on September 3, 1965, in San Francisco, California. To begin her career, she taught at the Sacramento Public Schools in California until moving to Pleasanton, California with Surendra and becoming a stay-at-home Mom to raise her children.

When her children were older, Judy enrolled in Chabot Community College and received an AA degree in computer science. After graduation, she was employed at the Chevron Corporation training other employees in computer science and later produced surveys for quality control within the company. She traveled to many of the company’s locations in the US and overseas to teach other employees and one of the highlights of her career was traveling by helicopter to Chevron oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. She retired from Chevron after over 25 years to care for her husband who was ill.

Judy was an avid music lover, an accomplished pianist, and attended many concerts of her favorite artists. She worked at WJPD as a disc jockey while in high school and college. She loved music of all genres and eras and listening to music was a comfort to her in later life.

She loved visiting her grandchildren and keeping up with their accomplishments.

Judy is survived by her daughter, Melanie and son-in-law, Matthew Pinto of Mamaroneck, New York; and son, Jay and daughter-in law, Jodi Shah; and two granddaughters, Samantha and Marlo Shah of Diablo, California; two sisters, Pauline Lakanen and Rebecca Spencer; one brother, Paul “Jay” Lakanen of Negaunee; nieces and nephews: Amy Lakanen of Powers, MI, Linda Marshall of Negaunee, Laura Lakanen of New Orleans, LA, Shannon Lakanen of Columbus, OH, Peter Lakanen of Tallahassee, FL, Brin Spencer of Negaunee, and Braelyn Dempsey of Kewaunee, WI; her husband’s extended family; a lifetime friend, Lois Juchemich of Negaunee; as well as numerous cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Surendra Shah; her parents; and her brother, Stuart Lakanen.

A private burial ceremony will be held at the Negaunee Cemetery on July 12, 2024.

A celebration of Judy’s life for family and friends will be held from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Al Quaal Lodge, Ishpeming, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, N. Y. 10163 or WNMU Public Radio 90 at Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.

Mrs. Shah’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.