Judith Cathryn Day

Judith Cathryn Day (McCullough) recently celebrated her 86th birthday, born on July 12, 1940 to Marion “Mac” McCullough and Lucille May Valley in Racine, Wisconsin, known as the Belle city meaning “beautiful.” She passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at LakeHouse Assisted Living in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Judith attended Beebe School in Elmwood Park, the same grade school as her mother, and lived on a farm with her parents, and relatives Aunt Kate and Uncle Pete, who cared for Lucille after her own mother, Edith, died at the age of 24. Lucille was given a home instead of having to go to an orphanage. As a girl, Judith made Goony Bird sculptures from gourds and sold them at their family farm stand along with flavored mineral water drinks from a natural spring. Judith graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin in June 1958. She received a scholarship and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison from September 1958 until June 1963, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in English on August 11, 1962 and a Master’s of Library Science degree in June 1963. She also attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and received a Master’s of Public Administration degree May 14, 1989.

Judith worked as a librarian at the Oshkosh Public Library and met her former husband, Arlyn Arthur Day, whom she married on June 12, 1966. They had one daughter, Elizabeth Anne. Judith and Arlyn moved to Racine in April 1970 and she accepted a Reference Librarian position at the Racine Public Library. As a Reference Librarian, her duties included: information retrieval and helping the public locate books and information. She enjoyed her librarian position as the Branch Supervisor at the Uptown Branch Library in Racine promoting participation in the Uptown Book Club, coordinating children’s storytime programs, in addition to ordering books and overseeing circulation. Returning to the Racine Public Library after the Uptown Branch closed; she was appointed Interlibrary Loan Coordinator until her retirement on July 15, 2003.

Although they met while working together at the Oshkosh Public Library and later married, they were not allowed to work at the same library because of the possibility of divorce. Arlyn was employed by the Kenosha Public Library for 37 years and Judith worked at the Racine Public Library for 33 years. After nearly 30 years of marriage, Judith and Arlyn divorced but lived in separate houses next to each other with a path from his front door to hers, connecting their yards. Arlyn wore his wedding ring until his death. Both thoroughly enjoyed being grandparents to grandsons, Nicholas Lee Batdorf and Aaron Alan Batdorf.

Judith enjoyed traveling to the North woods with co-workers and trips to Hawaii. Before marriage and the birth of Elizabeth Anne, she was offered a librarian position in Hawaii but chose to move to Racine to be closer to family.

Judith is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Batdorf (Fred Ogreenc) of Sheboygan Falls and Cedar Grove, grandsons Nicholas Lee Batdorf and Aaron Alan Batdorf (Kate), sister-in-law Priscilla Jean McCullough (Yunk), nephews, Peter John McCullough and Paul Joseph McCullough (Kerrie), as well as other relatives and friends. Her companion cats, Black Magic and Misty will miss her dearly.

Judith is preceded in death by her parents, Marion “Mac” and Lucille May (Valley) McCullough, brother John Henry McCullough (Priscilla). Pets who predeceased her include dogs: Katie, Ginger, Precious “Pee” and cats: Ernie, Jade, Copper, and Emily.

A private family Memorial Service will be held at Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Sharon B. Richardson Community Hospice and LakeHouse Sheboygan for their compassionate care and kindness and to Wenig Funeral Home for assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Racine Humane Society.