Judith “Judy” Ann Abfalter-Stephen January 12, 1951 - June 1, 2023

Judith Ann Abfalter-Stephen was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois on January 12, 1951 to Hubert and Frances (Morton) Abfalter. She was the youngest of three children. After the family moved to Decatur, Illinois in 1954, she attended elementary school at St. Patrick’s Catholic School. The family then moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1963, and Judy attended Putnam City Middle School & High School where she graduated in 1969.

Judy began her business career in the financial industry. While on the weekends, she would also work as a wedding photographer. In both, she developed a wealth of knowledge and expertise, which she then shared with others.

In regard to financial services, there she worked for several companies, ending her career with Morgan Stanley, which is where she served for the last 14 of those years, until her retirement in 2021 at the age of 70.  At Morgan Stanley, Judy was seen as such a shining light and a pleasure to be around. She always had a smile on her beautiful face, with a warm and caring attitude.  Over the years, the clients grew to love her, because she loved and cared for them. She made everyone feel appreciated and valued; always taking time to get to know people and what was important to them.  While she also shared with them, what she loved about her life – talking about her horses, her home, and her husband Michael. And in doing so, she had a great wit about her that could make people laugh. Also, when difficult problems arose, she would then take hold of the situation and work it continually until it was corrected. And, her gentle approach in doing so, made her a one in a million and a highly valued contributor to the success of her business. The people at Morgan Stanley truly thank you Judy for showing us how to enjoy life to the fullest. We will miss her shining light, while remembering all the life lessons she taught us during the time we had together.

Outside of that, her life also revolved around her horses, dogs, home, and the love of her life – her husband – Michael Stephen. What’s more, she received a degree in Equine Management from OSU, and assisted in horse rescue as well. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and making fruit pies from trees on their property, ever trying to perfect the crusts she made from scratch, all for Michael.

Michael also wanted to especially express how much he truly loved her and always will. She gave his life purpose and meaning, and helped to make him a better man; she was the most wonderful woman he ever knew.

She is preceded in death by her parents (Frances, for whom she also graciously took care of for years until her passing in 1998, and Hubert), and many relatives from the Abfalter family as well. She is survived by her husband Michael, brother Garry Abfalter (Melanie), sister Diana Hillyard, brother-in-law David Stroud (Maria), sister-in-law Jana Magbee, nieces, and nephews. Moreover, the family wishes to especially thank Jana for her exceptional care of Judy in the final weeks of her life.

Friends will be received prior to a Funeral Mass to be held 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at St Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, OK. She requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.