Jean Mae Kester Hudak

Life History- Obituary for Jean Kester Hudak
Jean Kester Hudak was born February 21, 1919 in Toronto, Canada. Her parents Amy Mills London and Harold London moved the family, which included Dorothy, Betty, Jean, and Jack to Chicago in 1925 to Chicago’s south side. Their baby sister Gwen was born in Chicago in 1937. The family attended Auburn Park Methodist Church where Jean was baptized and confirmed at age 14.

She married Milton Charles Kester on August 15, 1942 at Windsor Park Lutheran Church in Chicago. They has one child, Norma Jean Kester Devine (Michael Devine), grandchildren, Laura Jean Devine (Steve Buchtel), Paul Charles Devine, and great granddaughter Violet Jean Buchtel Devine. Jean and Milton moved to Mount Dora, Florida in 1979 along with Milton’s mother, Frieda Koester. Milton died in 1984 and Frieda died shortly afterwards in 1985. Jean met and married John Hudak at Faith Lutheran Church, Eustis, Florida in 1987. They were married until his sudden death in 1994. Jean was blessed by her expanded family Roger Hudak, Janet Hudak Stofa, Edith Hudak, Luke Hudak along with their spouses, children and grandchildren.

Jean was a good neighbor, loved her extended family unconditionally, and looked forward to each day. God came first in her life. She sang in the Faith Lutheran Church choir and was an active member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She loved attending church. She was kind, dependable, independent, and didn’t waste time complaining or worrying. When she moved to Waterman Village, she widened her circle of friends and lived independently until her 100th birthday. In the last few years, a stroke and increased deafness necessitated a move to assisted living in Waterman Village (Bridgewater) where she made more friends.

Jean was grateful and took each day as it came. Jean adjusted to losing her short term memory by looking at her photos and rereading notes she received in the mail. It brought back memories for her. She always wanted a “proper hug” from family and insisted on standing up to greet people. The Bridgewater staff and residents became her family and met her daily needs. She thrived on the routine and activities. During Covid lockdowns Jean was introduced to the I-pad and Face Time to see family who were far away. New technology confused her, but Jean enjoyed seeing family that was in Illinois or England and marveled at recent photos and seeing them immediately on the phone or computer.

Jean’s legacy is:
Love God, be kind, love your neighbor, don’t worry, and face each new day as a gift. Jean Hudak was AMAZING and a blessing. We will miss her.

By her daughter Norma Devine

In lieu of flowers memorials donations may be made Faith Lutheran Church, Eustis, FL or to Habitat for Humanity.