Judith Mae (O’Neill) Piazzola, 71, a lifelong resident of Butte, passed away in Dillon, MT, and Heaven gained an angel on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
Judy was born to John and Ann (Sullivan) O’Neill on December 1, 1951, in Butte. She and her older sister Janet grew up in the Boulevard neighborhood, attending St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Butte High School. One highlight of her young adulthood was riding and helping break horses in a Butte riding club.
Judy was first married to Bill Parini and gave birth to her first child, Kellie Jean. She later met the love of her life and soul mate, Frank Piazzola (“Frankie” to Judy). When the couple married, Judy acquired two more children from Frank’s previous marriage, a daughter Carole Ann and a son Frank Charles (Chuckie). The couple was blessed with two of their own children, son Michael John and daughter Katie Marie. Judy and Frank were married over forty years and were a great example of how love has no limits.
To help support their family, Judy worked a number of jobs in Butte in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including employment at Walmond’s Optical, Robbie’s In and Out, Muzz and Stan’s Freeway Tavern, the Copper King Mansion, and Head Start, as well as a number of housekeeping jobs.
Judy loved animals! She raised love birds, and along with son Michael, she loved showing rabbits. Passing her passion for animals on to her children, she often let her kids have any animal that they desired. She enjoyed helping her younger children with their 4-H activities.
Judy had many “special” dogs in her life but was especially blessed by a Doberman Pinscher, “Dobie,” who showed up on her porch soon after her father died and never left her side.
Always ready for an adventure, Judy loved spending time with her family in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, rock hunting, picking mushrooms, and just taking drives. When she could, she enjoyed bowling in a mixed league with her husband Frank. Around home, Judy loved watching TV and movies and listening to music.
Judy loved arts and crafts and was a talented ceramist. A night owl, she did much of her artistic and creative work then. Her children were the envy of the neighborhood on Halloween, sporting elaborate Judy-designed costumes.
To know Judy was to love her! She was blessed with a witty sense of humor, an ability to make her friends and family laugh, a huge giving heart, and a kindness and sweetness to those around her! Her tough Butte Irish heritage, along with her devoted husband Frank and family and an army of dedicated doctors and caregivers, gave her incredible strength to fight a courageous 35-year battle with multiple sclerosis.
Although her battle with multiple sclerosis continued to affect her physically, it never affected her spirt and willpower to continue enjoying the simple things in life; family, friends, animals, good food and any desert she could get her hands on!
We love you so much Judith Mae (Mom) and will miss you every single day of our lives until we see you again. Rest in eternal peace, you have earned it!
Judy is survived by her husband Frank; her sister and brother-in-law Janet and Bill Turner; her sister-in-law Gerry Gasper; her son Michael Piazzola; and her daughters and sons-in-law Kellie Parini and Joe Jangula, Katie Piazzola and Matt Norton, and Carole and Mike McGivern, and nephews Bill Turner and Rob Turner.
Also, grandchildren Isabella Parini, Gabriella Parini, Sophia Parini, Bryant Strauss, Ireland Norton, Italy Norton, Erick Piazzola, Matt and Julia Piazzola, Nick Piazzola, Michael McGivern, Mikayla McGivern, and Makenzy McGivern; great-grandson Grae Piazzola (and another great-granddaughter (Sienna) soon to be born). She was preceded in death by her parents John and Ann (Sullivan) O’Neill and her son Chuck Piazzola.
A funeral mass will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, January 19, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 329 W Mercury St., Butte, MT 59701. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow the service at Lydia’s Supper Club, 4915 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT 59701.
In memory of Judy, the family suggests donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org; 900 S. Broadway, Second Floor, Denver, CO 80209) or to the “Piazzola Family Scholarship” at the University of Montana Western Foundation (www.umwfoundation.org; 710 S. Atlantic, Dillon, MT 59725) to help students with their love/passion for arts and animals like our mother truly had!
To share a condolence or leave a memory of Judy, please visit below.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Judy and her family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Thursday January 19, 2023
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
329 W Mercury St
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 19, 2023
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
329 W Mercury St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Reception
Following Service
Thursday January 19, 2023
Lydia's Supper Club
4915 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Thursday January 19, 2023
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
329 W Mercury St
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 19, 2023
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
329 W Mercury St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Reception
Following Service
Thursday January 19, 2023
Lydia's Supper Club
4915 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Dee Chatriand says
So many memories of this sweet lady and truly a loving mother and wife. Rest in peace and may memories give the family comfort.
Charlene Warren says
Frank –
I am so very sorry to read of your wife’s passing 💔
Charlene Messick Warren.
Star Mcgivern says
The love and caring her family gave her, made her last years worth living. I have never seen such a devoted family. I’m so sorry. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Love star
Jolene Parini-Shipley says
My sweet dear cousin, Kelly you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I will always remember aunt Judy giving you an amazing birthday party. She was a beauitful women inside and out. God has a new angel and I can just see the reunion in heaven my dad Joe ,aunt Eilene, grandma and grandpa rejoicing her arrival. We will see our family again in heaven. What a glorious day that will be. Your Idaho family loves all of you. God bless you all my dear sweet Montana Family!
Jolene Parini-Shipley
Janice Clark Muniz says
My thoughts & prayers to Frank, Katie, Kelly, and all of the Parini and Piazzola Family. She was such a strong women and had so much love for her family. You all took such wonderful care of her and made her life wonderful. May her memories hold dear in your hearts. Rest in peace Judy.. continue to watch over Frank and your beautiful family from above.
((((Hugs))))
Janice Clark Muniz
Nessa Graham says
I remember her smile. It could light up a room. Our condolences from Chris and Nessa! Love and praying for you all.
Kathy Pesa says
What a beautiful soul …Judy is well loved and missed. What more is there to a good life?
My condolences to all,
Love Kathy Pesa
Maureen K Robinson says
Oh I have many, many wonderful and crazy memories with my friend Judy. Her home was always buzzing with a menagerie of pets, crafts, and kids! She helped me mend a broken heart by showing me complete love and empathy…and always with a great laugh! She loved Patsy Cline music and always sang along with the radio. We grew together in the oddest of situations, we knew all the ins and outs of friendship. I loved you my dear friend and I always will.
Rest in peace.