Judy Ann Gravier

WHITE PINE, Mich. - Surrounded by her loved ones, Judy Ann Gravier, 61, of White Pine, passed away on July 10, 2016, after a hard-fought battle with breast cancer.

Judy was born in Detroit to James and Willie Louise Berry on March 19, 1955. Her mother passed away in 1960. In 1967, because of the Detroit riots, Judy was sent to the U.P. to live with her stepmother's family. She attended Ontonagon area schools and graduated in 1973. She married her high school sweetheart, Rodney Pantti, and they had two children.

Judy worked as a secretary in the prosecutor's office for many years. She married John Gravier in 1987 and moved to White Pine. She began working underground at the Copper Range Mine as a driller/blaster and was also part of the mine rescue team. She loved working underground and enjoyed telling stories of her time there. After the mine closed in 1995, Judy attended Gogebic Community College. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in corrections. In 1998, she was employed as a guard at Baraga Correctional Facility.

Judy was a strong, intelligent, caring woman who loved to laugh and have fun. She treated all people with kindness and helped many people throughout the years, whether it be opening up her home, lending a hand or just being there to listen. She was beautiful both inside and out and had a contagious smile. She will be missed immensely by her family and friends.

Judy is survived by her daughter and caretaker, Erica Pantti; son, Jason Pantti; longtime companion, Nat Johnston; and sisters, Gladys Lopez, of Allen Park, Annette (Harlan) Smith, of Calvert City, and Martha Sandy, of Calumet.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Helvie; sister, Lucille; stepbrother, Andy; and former husband, Rodney Pantti.

Please join friends and family in a celebration of Judy's life at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at the White Pine American Legion.