Obituary: Judy Schroeder-Moar

Judith Lynne ("Judy") Schroeder-Moar, 60, died in Portland, Ore., after a brief illness. Born in Bakersfield to Karen Clarkin Schroeder and Clarence ("Sam") Schroeder, Judy grew up in Shafter. She attended Richland Elementary and Junior High and participated in Blue Birds and recreational softball and swimming. In 1980, she graduated from Shafter High School, where she majored in F-U-N.

Like her mother before her, Judy never met a stranger. Her wit and zest for life drew countless friends and admirers. Judy enjoyed her freewheeling 1970s teen years, cruising around in her Mustang, blasting "My Sharona" on 8-track. She earned extra cash at Dari-Delite, first stop in a long food service career. Restaurant waitressing, with its demanding pace and opportunities for banter, would be her calling.

A member of the blended, boisterous Schroeder-Meyer family of Pine Street, Judy built bonds in Shafter that lasted through her life, long after she moved to Oregon in her 20s. She made each return visit to Kern County an event, gathering extended family and her friends to celebrate.

In the Dockside Saloon & Restaurant, Judy found the only workplace in Portland with a personality as big as hers. For years, she served breakfast and sassy attitude to dockworkers, longshoremen and techies. Leaving work one day, she expressed interest in visiting another bar. Michael Moar, a truck driver for the company next door and the only man in Portland with a personality as big as Judy's, was at the Dockside that evening. He offered a ride. As the pair left, mutual friends shook their heads: "Oh man, those two together – watch out." They had no idea.

Judy and the love of her life wed in Hawaii, settling in Tigard, Ore. with the best boy in the world, their yellow lab, Buddy. They later moved full-time to their vacation home in Rockaway Beach, Ore.. Judy loved life at the beach, where she walked the sand with Buddy, and Mike caught fresh Dungeness crab for dinner. After Buddy crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Judy and Mike miraculously found the other best boy in the world, Buddy 2. Her canine sons brought comfort to Judy as she faced health challenges over the past several years. She also found solace in her faith in God.

Judy would not want us to be sad about her passing. Or maybe a little sad, since she had a real flair for the dramatic. But then she'd want us to remember the good times. Judy loved a good time, and we loved her for it.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Moar, of Rockaway Beach, Ore.; her mother, Karen Clarkin Carey of Bakersfield; sisters Pam Morales of Bakersfield and Carla Meyer of Sacramento; brothers Mike Schroeder (Janet) of New Britain, Conn.; Al Meyer (Lynn) of Belmar, N.J., and Scott Meyer (Sandy) of Roxboro, N.C., and a large extended family and many friends. Judy was preceded in death by her beloved father, Sam Schroeder, stepfather Raymond Meyer, and dearest friend, Darilyn Johnson.