Remembering ​Judith Ann Specht

Obituary, photo submitted by Specht Family:

Judith Ann Specht, nee Riehl, was born October 14, 1954 to George W.F. and Frances Riehl in Oakland. She lived in Oakland until 1969. It is there that she met her lifelong friend Sue Hudlow.

In 1969, she moved to Livermore where she attended Granada High School (class of 1972). She went to Chabot College (AA) and then completed her education at California State University Hayward (BS Speech Pathology and Audiology). During her time at Chabot and CSUH, she served at the Port-O- Call Servicemen’s Center at Neighborhood church in Castro Valley. Here, in July 1973, she met Dave Specht. On the night theymet, Judy told him, “of all the people I met that I liked tonight, I liked you the best.” She went home and told her friends “I met the man I am going to marry.” On March 20, 1976, they married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Livermore.

After marrying, they moved to the Naval Communications Station in Guam until Dave was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1978. They moved back to Livermore and both went to school at Chabot’s Livermore campus (now Las Positas College) and volunteered at the Port-O- Call. In 1980, they moved to Sacramento and began attending California State University Sacramento.

They attended Sac State until Judy dropped out in 1983 to start their family. They welcomed son Jonathan in May and she began her career as a mom. Dave graduated in 1986 and in 1987 they moved back to Livermore where they have resided ever since. The family continued to grow as they welcomed son Mathew in 1987, son Aaron in 1992, daughter-in- law Bethany in 2006, grandson Hunter in 2011, granddaughter Riley Ann in 2013, and grandson Roman & daughter-in- law Gina in 2015.

Judy’s passions include people, prayer, encouraging, serving and most importantly living out her faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. Many will remember her infectious smile and heartfelt enthusiasm for life. Judy was active in the church her entire adult life serving in the Covenant Couples group at First Covenant Church (Sacramento), Life Community Church (San Ramon), and for the final 28 years of her life, Cedar Grove Community Church (Livermore). At Cedar Grove, she was a Sunday school teacher, member of the prayer team, and a vital part of women’s ministry. Judy attended Bible Study Fellowship for over 15 years, many of which she spent as a children’s leader. For 30 years she was a leader of Moms in Prayer, International (formerly Moms in Touch).

She started a group in Livermore in 1987 after hearing the organization’s founder on Focus on the Family radio. She spent 15 years serving concert goers and volunteers at Spirit West Coast as an active part of the hospitality ministry. Judy was involved with the Cultural Homestay Institute (CHI) for 5 years, bringing students from foreign countries to Livermore and placing them with local families. She also hosted students in her own home. Judy had a passion for short term missions which included trips to Palau, Ireland, Germany, and Alaska (twice).

She loved to travel. Trips include an anniversary getaway with Dave to visit former CHI student and (unofficial) adopted sister Anne in France, a homeschool field trip (for Aaron) to visit friend Sue in Africa, a bucket list trip to Israel to see the landmarks of the Bible, and less than 12 months ago she walked 200 miles in 12 days along the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain.

Judy lived gracefully with breast cancer for over 22 years, creating relationships with other patients and hospital staff which extended beyond the buildings and diagnosis that brought them together in the first place.

Judy went home to be with her Savior at 1:25 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 surrounded by her family. Judy is survived by her husband Dave; sons Jonathan (wife Bethany, grandchildren Hunter, Riley Ann, and Roman), Matthew (wife Gina), and Aaron; and brothers George and Mike Riehl and their families.

Cedar Grove Community Church Care Fund in memory of Judy Specht. Donations can also be made online at www.cedargrove.org by clicking on “give now." (For a one time gift, simply click on “give now” again; the Care Fund is one of the drop down options.)

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”