Joan “Judy” McCue Holmblad

Jan. 6, 1934 – July 4, 2025

Joan “Judy” McCue Holmblad, a longtime resident of Buena Park, passed away on July 4, 2025, at the age of 91.

She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Heidi Holmblad and Scott Thomas; Gretchen Hardison and Mark Hardison; and Kristi Holmblad and Rob Evan. She also leaves four grandchildren, Molly Thomas, Alisa Hardison, Jason Evan and Ryan Hardison, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Joseph “Joe” Holmblad; parents Michael Francis and Helen Holgate McCue; sister Eileen Reppert; and brothers Robert and Richard McCue.

Judy was born in Douglas, AZ, moving with her parents to Laguna Beach, CA, in the late 1940s and to Compton, CA a few years later.  Music was always a big part of Judy’s life. She studied piano as a child, and in her late teen years, she played piano in a jazz band with her brother Dick. She also played and sang in a trio with good friends she met in Compton. She continued to play piano and sing for much of her life.

Judy met Joe Holmblad at Compton Junior College in 1952. She then went on to Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in Business Administration while Joe served in the Navy. Judy and Joe were married in 1956 and the couple raised their three daughters in Compton until 1966, when they moved to Buena Park.

Working out of the home was important to Judy. When their children were all in school, Judy took a job with the West Orange County Board of Realtors as the executive secretary, where she worked for many years. She later worked for Carter Hawley Hale, which at the time was the parent company of department store chains including The Broadway and, later, Macy’s. Working in data processing and technical writing, Judy learned how to operate early generation computers. She continued to work for some years after her husband Joe passed away in 1990.

After retiring, Judy volunteered with various organizations, including recording books for the blind. She joined the Westminster Chorale and performed for many years with them, and volunteered in the office at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Fullerton. She also did some traveling over the years with family and friends, including trips to Hawaii, Switzerland,  Amish Country, Ireland, and Northern California’s redwoods. She was passionate about her children and grandchildren, and the rest of the extended family. Judy’s friends were also very important to her, and she kept in close touch with friends she had met along the way from junior high school through her career years.

With her infectious laugh and ready smile, Judy will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer's Los Angeles or another charitable organization of your choice.