Judith Kawakami, 70, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died peacefully at the home of her daughter in Glen Ellyn on April 29, 2016 after battling pancreatic cancer for over three and a half years.

Judy was born August 23, 1945 in Chicago, IL, grew up in Berkeley, IL and graduated from the University of Illinois. She lived in Hawaii for over a decade where she met her husband and worked as a teacher. After moving back to Wheaton, IL, she worked at Wheaton College for almost 30 years. She was a kind and loving friend to many and an active member of College Church where she served as a leader for Pioneer Girls and also in the Intercessors Prayer Group at Wheaton College.

Devoted wife of the late Rodney Kawakami. Beloved mother of Elizabeth (Andy) Callaway. Proud Grandmother of Noah and Ava. Dear sister of Karen (David) Sullivan. Cherished Aunt to Lisa (Jim) DiSilvio and Mark (Joan) Sullivan, and Cori (Arthur) Aguinaldo and Kurt (Ayano) Kawakami.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at College Church , 332 E. Seminary Ave, in Wheaton, IL. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Gardens West in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network , 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.