Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. (Anonymous)

Judy Glazer, a longtime Culver City resident and involved community member until she and her family moved to Arroyo Grande in 2001, personified that quote by creating a powerful and positive impression during her 64-year life. 

Her journey, which began Nov. 11, 1945 in Los Angeles as the daughter of Ray and Frances Sullivan, ended in Arroyo Grande the night of Sat., June 26 with her husband, daughter, sister and a visiting friend at her side as she succumbed to pancreatic cancer.

This is a sad, ironic — but hopefully — ultimately uplifting postscript to a story about the Glazers’ Christmas miracle that appeared in the News last December.

Glazer’s husband, Richard, who was on dialysis because of polycystic kidney disease, received an extraordinary gift on Dec. 24 — a kidney transplant from their adopted daughter, Jacquee, then 19, who had decided to be tested and was found to be a match.

The surgery was a success.

But then, earlier this year, Judy Glazer, who had been her family’s rock during the transplant process, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

She was no stranger to cancer, having been diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago. That experience, coupled with the impact of cancer on various family members and friends, led Glazer to become an activist.

In 2007, she spearheaded a campaign to create a “Relay For Life” team at Lucia Mar United School District, where she worked in the business office. And the “Lucia Mar ChemoKickers,” which she co-founded and continued to be actively engaged in, became a significant presence at the Relay events.

Her pancreatic cancer was moving fast, but Glazer was determined to hold on for this year’s Relay, which was scheduled from Saturday morning, June 26 to Sunday morning, June 27 in Arroyo Grande. Shortly after her diagnosis, she prevailed upon a friend in Culver City to come up and walk with her at the Relay, as it would be her last hurrah. And knowing that she had little time remaining, she chose to spend some of that precious time fundraising for her team, personally generating hundreds of dollars in donations.

By Relay weekend Glazer was on morphine and confined to bed, receiving around-the-clock care at home from caregivers Aurelia Hernandez and Bethany Henderson of Central Coast Care Givers. Attending the Relay, even in a wheelchair, was out of the question.

But her ChemoKickers did her proud, coming in second in fundraising in a field of 31 teams. And her visiting friend walked Glazer’s designated laps that Saturday afternoon as her surrogate.

Glazer’s spirit took flight that evening. 

The viewing was held at Lady Family Mortuary in Arroyo Grande on June 30, with the funeral mass at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Pismo Beach on July 1. Father Victor Abegg officiated. The celebration of Glazer’s life continued at the parish hall, where lunch was served and loving memories were shared among the many in attendance.  

Glazer is survived by family members that include her husband of 26 years, Richard Glazer, daughter Jacquee Glazer, brother Mike Sullivan, sister Laurie Sullivan, brother-in-law Ernie Glazer, sister-in-law Ava Robbins, as well as a very large extended family of friends.

At the celebration of life, Glazer’s sister encouraged those who wished to honor Glazer’s  memory to donate to American Cancer Society, an organization to which she had been committed in her desire to alleviate suffering for others. Donations can be made through cancer.org. 

Glazer loved people. She loved her family and friends, including the group at the Curves gym she attended.  Her influence will be felt for years to come through the many lives she touched and through her Relay team, which will continue to carry her message forward. A woman of great humor, intelligence and compassion, she was a determined and dedicated “get-it-done” person. And she succeeded.