Emily H Sbrilli's Obituary
Emily Julia Belle “Judy” (Highsmith) Sbrilli
Emily Julia Belle “Judy” Sbrilli died on December 25, 2019, at the age of 92. She was born the middle daughter of Earl and Arvilla (Robinson) Highsmith, in Lansing, Michigan, on June 21, 1927. As an infant, she was known to the family as Julie Belle, but was quickly “renamed” by her sister, Orianna, who insisted upon calling her Judy. Tragically losing their mother in 1932, the three sisters, Orianna, Judy, and younger sister, Margaret, remained extremely close throughout their lifetime. Judy always cherished the time she spent with her sisters.
In early 1944, she met her husband, George Joseph “Joe” Sbrilli, at a dance while he was stationed at Grosse Ile Naval Air Station in Michigan, during World War II. They were married six months later in Wayne, Michigan, on August 15, 1944. Soon after their wedding, Joe was assigned to Miami, where their first daughter, Carol was born. After being discharged from service, Joe and Judy, settled back into Joe’s hometown of Highland Park, New Jersey, and over the years they would add three additional daughters to their family, Joanne, Barb and Cindy.
Judy was an excellent cook and was most famously known for her Cherry Nut Cake. Her spaghetti sauce & meatballs was another specialty of hers, and the delicious homemade soups she would serve were crowd pleasers. In addition to cooking, she was also a talented seamstress winning several first-place trophies for the Halloween costumes she would create for her young daughters.
Judy and Joe moved to Clearwater, Florida, in 1979. When not practicing their dance moves at home, they could be found dancing at all the local spots, or on a cruise to some far-off destination.
After nearly fifty years of marriage, she was predeceased in death by her husband Joe (Feb-1992). She was also predeceased by a grandson, Michael Mausen (Nov-2007).
She is survived by her loving daughters, Carol (John), Joanne (Will), Barbara (Tom), and Cindy (Jim). Grandchildren: Scott, Judy, Karin, Francie, Sandy, Doug, Samantha and Tim. Great-grandchildren: Christian, Gabi, Michael, Brook, Anthony, Lily, Jake, Kylie, Kaden and Annabelle.
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