Judy Yu Thomas

Judy Yu Thomas, age 62, passed away peacefully from cancer on November 21, 2025, in Baltimore,Maryland.

Born on June 24, 1963, in Butuan City in the Philippines, Judy was the daughter of

Julian Yu and Lilia "Ivy" Yu (Lampadio). She experienced a profound loss early in life in

1970 with the passing of her father in a plane crash—an event that shaped her strength

and resilience from a young age. As a result of this tragedy, Judy and her siblings came

under the care of her paternal grandparents until her grandfather's death from stomach

cancer in 1976. Her family then moved to Manila to join her aunt and uncle, Lourdes

"Ludy" and Sui Biak G. "Victor" Yu, while her mother migrated to the United States.

Judy pursued her education with determination and excellence. She graduated from the

University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, Philippines, and later continued her studies

at the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Cytotechnology in Baltimore. Her academic

achievements laid the foundation for a long and dedicated career in medical diagnostics.

For over three decades, Judy worked as a medical cytotechnologist. Upon obtaining her

certification, Judy worked for a small lab in Rockville Maryland for five years, then

returned to work at Johns Hopkins Hospital for two years. After marrying Robert in

1993, she started her tenure at MetPath, Inc., which would later become Quest

Diagnostics, Inc. through a succession of mergers. During her employment she was a

registered member of the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC). Judy retired on

disability after marking 30 years of service with Quest.

In addition to her professional life, Judy was a devoted wife and mother. She supported

her daughter Ashley's ballet training and became a scouting mom while her sons Kyle

and Jake participated in Cub Scouts. Judy assisted Kyle in his journey to obtain the

Eagle Scout rank in 2017.

Judy became a cancer patient when she was diagnosed and successfully treated for

breast cancer in 2017. After five years of remission, lung cancer was detected in

October 2022. She was treated again for 18 months and transitioned to hospice care in

May 2024.

Judy is lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert “Bob” Thomas Jr.; her daughter

Ashley, son-in-law Charles, and grandson Theodore Truxillo; her sons Kyle and Jake

Thomas; her brother Jorge and wife Maria “Beth” Yu; her sister Jo-Ann Yu; her mother-

in-law Margaret Thomas; her brother-in-law Kevin and wife Jane Thomas; and brother-

in-law Brian and wife Robbin Thomas; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and

cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Julian Yu, mother Lilia Yu Fiscko,

brother Jimmy Yu, and father-in-law Robert Thomas.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society,

 PGCMLS Foundation, or any charity of your choosing.

May Judy’s memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.