Judith Marilyn Vago Krum died peacefully at her home on August 7, 2023 in Sanford, Florida at the age of 81.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Randall B. Krum, and her sister Linda A. Jackel, along with many nieces and nephews Christine Judd Rogers, Daniel T. Judd, Patricia Judd McGee, Alison Jackel Fienman, Donna Hoffman
Vizcaino, Wayne Hoffman, Glenn Hoffman, and great nieces and great nephews, Cameron Judd, Kelsey Judd, Jakob Rogers, Jenny Rogers, Sean McGee, Emily McGee, Liam McGee, Max Fienman, Brooke Fienman, and Victor Vizcaino.
She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Carolyn Vago Hoffman and her brother Richard L. Vago.
Judy was born on July 20, 1942 in New York, NY to Frank Vago and Florence Hultgren Vago. After growing up in Farmingdale, NY, she graduated from Weldon E. Howitt High School class of 1960. She subsequently graduated from Marietta College (Ohio) with a BA in English in 1964 and from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) with an M. Ed. in Guidance and
Counseling in 1974.
Judy’s interest in journalism was evident in her being Editor of the Daler Skyline in high school and as editor of the Marcolian, the weekly newspaper of Marietta College. As she pursued her teaching career, she taught English in Kent, Ohio; Carroll County, Maryland, Arlington, Vermont, and at the Hoosac School, Hoosick, NY. In her various teaching positions, she was advisor to many school newspapers, school yearbooks and creative writing journals. Judy also
was Guidance Director at South Carroll HS (Maryland) and at Arlington Memorial High School (Vermont).
Judy married Randall B. Krum, her husband of 49 years, in 1973 in Baltimore, Maryland. They lived in Bennington and North Bennington, Vermont from 1974 to 2010. Together they traveled extensively in the British Isles, visiting many cathedrals and landmarks associated with English poets, writers, and musicians. They also traveled to Italy, and with their RV they visited many places in the United States and Canada.
Throughout her life, Judy was involved with the Episcopal Church, having been a cradle Episcopalian and living as an infant in the rectory of the Church of the Transfiguration in Freeport, NY. As a young person she was active at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Farmingdale, NY and became a member of the choir.
Following a move to Vermont she became active in the parish life of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Bennington. After moving to Florida, Judy became associated with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary, FL, where her husband has been
organist-choir director since 2010.
Judy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1985. Over time, she retired from teaching and joined the staff of the Vermont Center for Independent Living, an advocacy organization that works for the civil rights of people with disabilities. She worked for VCIL as a Peer Advocate Counselor, a community organizer, and education coordinator.
In 2010 the Krums moved to Florida as Judy had become a wheelchair user, and it became difficult to get about in the ice and snow of Vermont winters.
In Florida, Judy became involved with the Florida State Poets Association, being elected treasurer and membership chairman. Judy also pursued her lifelong dream of writing both prose and poetry. She has won many awards for her work and has had six books published Gossamer Threads to Catch the Soul, Spiritual Reflections for the Church Year (2010), In the Crayon Box, There Is Peace – Poems (2012), Softness for a Hard World Poems and Photographs (2015) – a collaboration with photographer Kimberly Morgan Burke (2015), Poetic Prisms Prize-winning Poems (2017), Color the Sky with Morning – Poems inspired by the Psalms (2019), My M S Journey: Recalculating – A Memoir by Judith Krum (2021).
A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 700 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL on Saturday, August 26 at 11:00 AM.
The Burial Office and Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Peter’s
Episcopal Church, Bennington, VT on Saturday, October 7 at 11:00 AM with subsequent interment of ashes in the Memorial Garden at St. Peter’s.