UTSA retiree Judith Slate dies after long illness

(Dec. 17, 2008)--Judith Makovy Slate, a former administrative associate in the UTSA College of Business, died Friday, Dec. 5 after a long illness. According to family and friends, she was an inspiration to all she knew and always had a smile and an upbeat attitude.

Slate worked at UTSA for approximately six years. She started part-time in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, but for most of her tenure worked full-time for the Management of Technology program.

"Judy did a lot of work to help the Management of Technology program grow," said Donna Dancak, College of Business graduate adviser. "Her goal was to help all of the students get connected and to make them feel like it was a family. She was instrumental in the program's annual recognition dinner. Judy was focused on the students."

According to the Wilson County News, Slate was born June 7, 1944, in Floresville to Joe Peter Makovy and Sally Kopecki Makovy Murks. She graduated from Luther Burbank High School in 1962 and from Texas State University in 1967 with degrees in biology and English. After graduation, she worked with small animals at the Biomedical Research Center at the Southwest Foundation for Research and Education.

Slate married William Blanchard Slate on July 20, 1968. Although she spent most of her married life in Michigan, her heart was always in Texas. After her husband's death, she returned to her roots in San Antonio, where she worked at UTSA until her retirement in 2007.

Slate enjoyed music, sang in various choirs and loved playing the piano. Her varied interests included pets, creative writing, a cottage on Wee Island in the Thousand Islands, yard sales and spending time with her many friends.

She is survived two daughters, a son, a son-in-law and a granddaughter in addition to many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

>> Read more in the Wilson County News.