Judith Ann Schafers
April 13, 1943 – February 22, 2025
Judith Ann (Judie) Schafers, 81, of Sun City Center, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2025, surrounded by family after a brief illness.
Judie was born April 13, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Theodore and Marion (Hohman) Schafers. She received a Catholic education at Ascension Grade School and Incarnate Word Academy High School in the St. Louis area. Judie attended college at Webster University in St. Louis.
Judie’s professional career in business started in 1964 with TWA airlines as a sales agent. Her career path advanced quickly as she was promoted to positions at TWA in Kansas City and New York, eventually becoming director of automation systems. In 1986, she joined the System One Corporation, moving to Miami, Florida, where she took on the role as VP for product development and, eventually, rose to Senior VP for customer relations and support services. In 1995, she joined Phoenix Systems in St. Petersburg, Florida as vice president of product marketing until her retirement. Her sheer drive, business acumen and personality enabled her to advance to senior management positions at a time when it was unusual for a woman in business.
Prior to retirement, Judie moved to Sun City Center where she became a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Sun City Center, FL. She was an avid golfer most of her life, and after moving to Kings Point, she became the chief organizer of many golf competitions at Sceptor Golf Club. As a lifelong lover and companion of dogs, Judie took a leadership role in the development of the dog park at King’s Point and was a founding board member of the Dog Lovers Club.
Surviving are her siblings, Joan Neumarker, of Overland Park, KS, Jack Schafers (Matrice), of Ballwin, MO, James Schafers, of Manchester, MO; sister in law, Susan Schafers, of Creve Coeur, MO; and many nieces and nephews, whom she considered her adopted children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerry Schafers; brother-in-law, Dick Neumarker; and sister-in-law, Gail Schafers.
A funeral mass for Judie has been scheduled for Monday, March 24, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Sun City Center, FL. A visitation will start at 9 a.m. and mass will begin at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life luncheon is planned for March 25, starting at 11:30 a.m. More details will follow or contact Jack Schafers by email at jack.s.schafers@gmail.com if you have questions.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that you make donations in Judie Schafers name to the Dog Lovers Club. The address is 2130 Nantucket Drive, Sun City Center, 33573.
Judie was born April 13, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Theodore and Marion (Hohman) Schafers. She received a Catholic education at Ascension Grade School and Incarnate Word Academy High School in the St. Louis area. Judie attended college at Webster University in St. Louis.
Judie’s professional career in business started in 1964 with TWA airlines as a sales agent. Her career path advanced quickly as she was promoted to positions at TWA in Kansas City and New York, eventually becoming director of automation systems. In 1986, she joined the System One Corporation, moving to Miami, Florida, where she took on the role as VP for product development and, eventually, rose to Senior VP for customer relations and support services. In 1995, she joined Phoenix Systems in St. Petersburg, Florida as vice president of product marketing until her retirement. Her sheer drive, business acumen and personality enabled her to advance to senior management positions at a time when it was unusual for a woman in business.
Prior to retirement, Judie moved to Sun City Center where she became a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Sun City Center, FL. She was an avid golfer most of her life, and after moving to Kings Point, she became the chief organizer of many golf competitions at Sceptor Golf Club. As a lifelong lover and companion of dogs, Judie took a leadership role in the development of the dog park at King’s Point and was a founding board member of the Dog Lovers Club.
Surviving are her siblings, Joan Neumarker, of Overland Park, KS, Jack Schafers (Matrice), of Ballwin, MO, James Schafers, of Manchester, MO; sister in law, Susan Schafers, of Creve Coeur, MO; and many nieces and nephews, whom she considered her adopted children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerry Schafers; brother-in-law, Dick Neumarker; and sister-in-law, Gail Schafers.
A funeral mass for Judie has been scheduled for Monday, March 24, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Sun City Center, FL. A visitation will start at 9 a.m. and mass will begin at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life luncheon is planned for March 25, starting at 11:30 a.m. More details will follow or contact Jack Schafers by email at jack.s.schafers@gmail.com if you have questions.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that you make donations in Judie Schafers name to the Dog Lovers Club. The address is 2130 Nantucket Drive, Sun City Center, 33573.