03/12/2026
Judith Sullivan
Judith Ann Sullivan (Ruckstuhl), 86, most recently of Toms River, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a prolonged illness.
Born in Newark, NJ, Judy was the daughter of Archibald and Mary (Donohue) Ruckstuhl. She and her family lived in Montclair, NJ, where she attended Lacordaire Academy. She attended nursing school at St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in New York City, NY, and later received her bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University. Judy first worked as a registered nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Her subsequent nursing roles included work as a visiting nurse, caring for individuals with addiction, and later returning to hospital nursing at Morristown Medical Center.
Judy married Francis Sullivan on October 18, 1969. After living as newlyweds in Greenwich Village, New York City, for the first year of their marriage, Judy and Frank moved to Basking Ridge, NJ, where they raised their family. Judy was the mother of 3 sons, Brian, Dennis, and Michael.
Faith, family, and music were at the center of Judy’s life. She was a “super-parent,” volunteering in the boys’ schools and in whatever activities the boys were involved in. These included classroom mother, team mother, Cub Scout den mother, and soccer coach. If Judy wasn’t helping out, then she was spectating. The boys have trouble remembering a single sporting event, school play, or music concert where Judy wasn’t there, and they always knew she was there because she was always cheering the loudest.
Judy loved the Lord, and she was the face of God’s love to many others. As a parishioner of Saint James Catholic Church in Basking Ridge, Judy was a religious education teacher and music leader for over 20 years. She was active in Cursillo. Judy was also active in Kairos prison ministry, sharing God’s love with inmates at several high-security prisons throughout New Jersey.
Music was always in Judy’s life. As a child, she learned how to play the ukulele, eventually becoming the leader of sing-alongs at 4th of July parties and campfires. It wasn’t unusual for Judy and Frank to sing duets with each other in perfect harmony. Judy loved opera, and she and Frank would frequently go to the Metropolitan Opera on date nights. Judy’s love of music was passed on to her boys, and all 3 were active in musical groups during their youth. Her children and grandchildren will especially miss Judy singing happy birthday phone calls that became a highlight of the day.
Judy had many other interests. She was an avid fisherman, never missing an opportunity to cast her line. She loved the New York Giants. As a season ticket holder for many years, she spent most autumn Sundays either sitting in Giants Stadium section 325 or in front of the television watching the game. The centerpiece of her Giants fandom was flying to Pasadena, California, and watching the Giants beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.
Judy spent the last 21 years living her dream of life by the water, residing in Manahawkin, NJ. There, she developed new friendships and interests. St. Francis Parish on Long Beach Island became her second home, and she quickly became involved in parish life. She was involved in prayer groups, a food pantry, a book club, and volunteered annually at St. Francis’ Festival of the Sea carnival. Judy and Frank loved their time together. They loved to travel up and down the coast, visiting lighthouses.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Archibald and Mary Ruckstuhl; a brother, John Ruckstuhl; and a sister, Mary Margaret Mintz.
Judy is survived by Francis Sullivan, her adoring husband of 56 years; her sons, Brian, Dennis, and Michael Sullivan; her daughter-in-law, Christie Sullivan; her grandchildren, Jack, Brendan, and Julia Sullivan. Nieces Mary Ellen Mintz, Kathleen Downey; and her nephews, John Mintz, Michael Mintz, and Thomas Mintz.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 9am to 11:30am at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ. 08050. A Mass of Christian burial will follow, 12:00 pm at St. Francis Of Assisi, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008. Interment will be private.
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