Judy Subar

Judith “Judy” Subar, age 90, of Grand Rapids, passed away on August 3, 2026.

Born on December 12, 1935, in Grand Rapids to Frieda and Meyer Shapiro, Judy was a proud graduate of Aberdeen Elementary, Creston High School, and the University of Michigan, where she earned her degree in Speech Therapy. She later went on to receive a Master’s degree in Communications from Western Michigan University.

In 1957, Judy married fellow Grand Rapids native, Jerry Subar. They shared nearly 55 wonderful years of marriage until his passing. Together, they raised three sons: Dean (Susan), Jon (Mirit), and Richard (Leah). Judy was a devoted grandmother to 21 grandchildren and a proud great-grandmother to dozens of great-grandchildren, as well as a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Eleven years ago, Judy met then married Cary Fleischer of Chicago, Illinois, bringing renewed joy to her later years.

Throughout her life, Judy was a pillar of the local Jewish community. Her passions shone through as a founding member of the Shir Shalom Choir (1985), the Jewish Film Festival (founded 41 years ago), and Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids—the nation's oldest continuously operating Jewish theatre (33 years), which has dedicated its 2026–2027 season in her honor. Her final performance on stage was in Judgment at Nuremberg in October 2023. Beyond Jewish Theatre, Judy was a beloved actress across West Michigan, regularly gracing the stages of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Circle Theatre. She wrote, directed, and performed in countless productions, including children's shows, puppet and ventriloquism performances with Charlie McCarthy, and a two-woman play on women’s suffrage alongside her dear friend, Toby Dolinka.

A tireless advocate and leader, Judy served as President of Hadassah, was deeply active at Congregation Ahavas Israel, and supported the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids along with numerous organizations locally in the United States and in Israel. She also dedicated her time to the Grand Rapids Women’s History Council and the Kent County Literacy Council.

When off the stage and away from her volunteer work, Judy was a competitive athlete who enjoyed tennis, golf, mahjong, and canasta. Above all, she was known for her warmth, forgiving nature, quick smile, and effortless class. She was a phenomenal cook who loved hosting holiday meals, and her genuine curiosity about people inspired her to conduct and record oral history interviews.

Service Information: Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.