ALIMONTI, Judie Barbara Dr.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear Judie Barbara, beloved wife, sister, daughter and aunt on December 26, 2017 in Ottawa, ON at the young age of 57. She will be sadly missed by her husband Alan Giesbrecht of Ottawa, ON, father Dominico (Nick) Alimonti of Kelowna, BC, brother Keith Alimonti (Lynnea Westlind) of Kelowna, BC, sister Nancy Alimonti (Douglas Baine) of Calgary, AB, sister Cathy Carolei (Tim) of Kelowna, BC, along with… Read More » 4 nieces, 1 nephew and a great niece and nephew. She will be missed by her life long friends Sandra (Benzer) and Barry Straza. Judie was predeceased by her mother Sheila Barbara Alimonti in 1984.
Judie was born in Kelowna, BC March 13, 1960 to Nick and Sheila Alimonti, the third child of four. She graduated from Kelowna Secondary School in 1978. She was involved in many extracurricular activities in her high school years including field hockey, basketball, soccer and jazz band in which she always excelled in. She continued playing field hockey and soccer into her adulthood in ladies’ leagues.
She went to Sutton, ON in 1980 and graduated from Massage Therapy School where she met her husband Alan Giesbrecht. They returned to Kelowna and opened their own massage therapy clinic. Judie decided to go back to University and obtained her Bachelor of Science -Microbiology at UBC Vancouver in 1991. She then continued on to get her PHD in Immunology at University of Manitoba. She attained her doctorate PHD, although very modest when we called her Doctor. We were so proud of her accomplishments while she was so unassuming. She went to work in Winnipeg, MB in doing research for cancer, aids, and Ebola. She was a lead researcher and instrumental in the development of the vaccine donated to the World Health Organization at their request in response to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2015. She coordinated and facilitated the distribution of the vaccine to various global partners. She was then recruited by the National Research Council of Canada and was currently working on a vaccination for the Zika Virus. She unfortunately was not able to complete her research although was able to bring the project further for her colleagues to continue with the project.
A memorial service to celebrate Judie’s life will be at Everden Rust Funeral Home at 11 am Saturday January 20, 2018, 1910 Windsor Road, Kelowna, BC followed by a reception to share stories and memories.
We would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses at both Ottawa Hospital and Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital for the great care they gave to Judie. Donations can be made in Judie’s honour to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.everdenrust.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr Judie Barbara Alimonti March 13 1960 December 26 2017.source
Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique
