Judith Anne (Miller) Attie

Judith Anne Attie, 77, of Harbor Springs, Michigan passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024, with her two loving children, Kal and Sarah by her side. 

Judy was born on September 7, 1947, to Victor and Jane Miller. The oldest of five children, she grew up in a tight-knit family with her beloved parents and siblings in South Bend, Indiana. Judy graduated from John Adams High School and went on to study Political Science at Indiana University (IU), which included a year spent studying abroad in Strasbourg, France. Judy then returned to IU to complete her studies, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1968.

After graduation, Judy returned to France and worked at the University of Strasbourg. It was in Strasbourg where she married her former husband, Tony Attie, MD, and where the couple welcomed their son, Kal, in 1970. Several years later, they moved to Michigan and lived in Detroit where Judy worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Wayne State University, eventually completing her master’s degree and going on to pursue a PhD in Political Science. In 1977 they welcomed their daughter, Sarah, and settled in the town of Grosse Pointe. Shortly after, in 1979 Judy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 32. 

Despite the numerous health challenges and physical limitations she faced in the years that followed, Judy refused to give in to her disease, remaining fiercely independent and active. She took up watercolor painting, volunteered at the Detroit Institute of Arts, hosted League of Women Voters gatherings at her home, played classical piano, read voraciously, was an avid patron of the theater, continued to speak fluent French, traveled, and loved cheering on her kids from the sidelines of their soccer games. She radiated positivity and maintained a glass half-full approach to life. This perspective was a value she instilled in her kids, and it is one they will continue to embody in her memory. 

In 2004, Judy moved from Grosse Pointe to Falmouth, Maine, to be closer to Sarah who had settled in the New England area. Judy purchased a beautiful home where she lived with her sister, Sue, and experienced what she referred to as some of the best years of her life. The home became a peaceful sanctuary for her, amid lovely gardens and majestic pine trees. It was a place of both respite and celebration, and was the backdrop of numerous gatherings with family and friends, which brought Judy so much joy.

In 2011, Judy made the decision to move from her home in Falmouth to Perry Farm Village, an assisted living community in Harbor Springs, near Kal. On any given day, Judy could be found there with her faithful dog, Zoe by her side, enjoying the grounds, playing weekly games of Mahjong, and spending countless hours with friends and family. Among the many highlights of living in Harbor Springs for Judy was that this beautiful town which she loved so much became the designated location for Miller family reunions (affectionately known as the MFR). All of Judy’s extended family traveled from across the country for one week every other summer to visit Judy and gather with each other. These special reunions buoyed her spirits every time and created some of her most cherished memories.  

To know Judy was to be inspired by her. Her courage, fortitude and resilience were unshakeable.  Despite decades of compromised health, she forged ahead day after day with a quiet tenacity, unending grace, good humor, and deep love in her heart for her family and close friends. She found pleasure in the simplest of things: a sunset over the bay, fall colors, a warm day with just the right amount of breeze spent sitting by the lake, and any time spent with her four grandchildren, who she absolutely adored. Her family will honor her legacy by finding joy, even during the most difficult of times; by persevering even when things feel impossible; by maintaining perspective; and by remembering all of the good times spent with her. She has left an indelible mark on those who knew and loved her.

Judy was predeceased by her parents, Victor and Jane Miller, and by her former husband, Tony Attie, MD. She is survived by a loving extended family: her son Kal Attie, MD, daughter-in-law Jenni, and grandsons Ashton and Evan; her daughter Sarah Van Blarcom, son-in-law Ian and granddaughters Emma and Riley; her siblings Carolyn Thatcher and her husband Bill, Susan Miller and her partner Peter, Victor Miller and his wife Stephanie, and Patrick Miller and his wife Suzanne; nine nieces and nephews; her aunts Del Zobrosky and Louise Molnar; and many cousins.  

Judy had a number of wonderful friends in the community who embraced her. Her family is especially grateful for the friendship and support she received from Sandy Olson, Sue Kughn, Suzie Jacobs, Betty Frain, and Larry Froede. The family also wishes to extend deep appreciation to the caring staff at Perry Farm Village and Bay Bluffs (where Judy lived for the last year), and the compassionate medical and hospice staff at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, who helped ensure Judy passed with peace and dignity.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held at Stafford's Pier Restaurant in Harbor Springs, Michigan on Saturday, November 23 from 2-5 PM. The gathering will be an open house, with words of remembrance beginning at 3 PM.  Light food and refreshments will be served.

Judy rescued several companion animals over the years who she loved very much – most recently her beloved Zoe. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Judy’s memory to the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, 1300 W. Conway, Harbor Springs, MI 49740.

07/23/2025 EJS

https://www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/Judith-Attie#obituary