Judith Ann “Judy” BRAYMILLER, nee Evans, 84, of Riverside Drive, Wellsville, NY, died in her sleep at home on January 10, 2024.
Born September 24, 1939, in Salamanca, she was the daughter of Arnold R. and Helen L. Holmes Evans. A 1957 graduate of Salamanca High School, she began attending Deaconess Nursing School in Buffalo in the fall, but soon left due to homesickness.
On April 30, 1960, in Salamanca, she married Wayne G. Braymiller and began their family life. In 1963, the couple settled in Wellsville and bought the family home about two years later. Judy’s love for caregiving was seen in her choice of employment throughout the years.
She worked as a nurse’s aide in several nursing homes in the Wellsville area, and as a receptionist for Doctor Hong for several years. She was finally able to finish her nursing degree at Alfred State College in 1984. As a Registered Nurse, she continued working at local nursing homes. As head nurse, she would never allow her patients to pass away alone, often holding their hand, stroking their temples, and kissing them on the forehead as a goodbye at the end. She also did in-home patient care with Jan and Bev’s Home Care, and later for the Cattaraugus County Health Department until her retirement in 2017 at the age of 77. She loved her patients and went above and beyond the call of duty keeping in touch with them long after retirement.
Judy had a soft spot in her heart for the many felines who showed up on the doorstep. She nursed them back to health and welcomed many into her home. Mrs. Braymiller loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She dearly missed her father, who died of cancer in 1979 when she was about 40. She was a loyal daughter too, caring for her aged mother until her death at 101. She enjoyed playing the organ, camping, sweet pea wildflowers, and playing pinochle with old friends into the wee hours of the morning. She made delicious pepperoni pizzas from scratch. Judy was an avid Elvis fan since her teen years. As a lifelong Methodist, she was a member of both Scio and Wellsville United Methodist Churches over the years. She also kept several Bibles packed full of obituaries, along with cutouts and clippings that inspired her.
She is survived by her children, Eric K. Braymiller of Scio, Krista J. Braymiller of Wellsville, Scott A. (Rita) Braymiller of Troy, PA, Paula S. (Lester) Smith of Cullen, VA, and an adopted daughter, Mary L. Griggs of Broad Run, VA; five grandchildren, Kyle (Kim) Braymiller, Heidi (Jason) Day, Brody (Isabel) Hugar, Gwendolyn Braymiller, and Barie Braymiller; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Wayne on November 22, 2019; a brother, Peter A. Evans; twin infant sisters; and an infant great-granddaughter, AJ Day. A Memorial Service will be held in April on a date to be announced. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Scio. Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York at www.alz.org/wny or SPCA serving Allegany County at www.spcaallegany.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
