Judith "Judi" Lee Samorian

Judith Lee (Keefer) Samorian, 92, passed away on August 14, 2025, with family by her side. She was born on June 27, 1933, to Leo and Gertrude (Suttie) Keefer in Gary, Indiana. After living in Gary and Chicago, she eventually moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1951. She fell in love and married James L. (Jim) Samorian on September 20, 1952. Together they had 3 children and resided in Rockford.

While raising their 3 children, Judi made the bold decision to embark on a career in music, specifically piano and vocals. She taught herself to play the piano and with her very distinctive voice, Judi Lee was soon playing at many local restaurants and piano bars in the Rockford area, including D’Agostino’s, The Coachman Inn, The Wagon Wheel, alternating with her dear friend, Maxine Holler, and the Sandbar at the Abbey, Fontana, WI.

After several years as a solo performer, she formed the Judi Lee Trio with Guy Fiorenza, bass, and Vince Castronova, drums, and played at the Top of the Rock, Rockford. She also performed with Gene Wysong, bass, Jack Brand, drums and Val Eddy, bass. After several years with the trio, she began to travel as a solo performer again, to venues in Green Bay and Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and after traveling for several years, moved to southern California, where she played in clubs in Rancho Mirage, and Café Lido, Newport Beach. She met her long-time partner Sterling Bantle there, and moved to Balboa Island, CA. Her favorite place was the beach and she was fortunate to live near the Pacific Ocean for many years, offering a beautiful retreat for her family to visit. She relocated to Machesney Park in 2016 and lived there until her death.

Judi was a voracious reader and loved all genres, but especially mysteries. She and her daughter, Jacki, would go to library book sales and local bookstores and purchase bags of books to share. She also enjoyed tennis, having played often while in California. She passed on her love of music to her children, two of whom have gone on to have professional careers in music.

She is predeceased by her parents, Leo and Gertrude Keefer and her brother, Richard K. (Dick) Keefer. She is survived by her 3 children Jacki (Nick) Giacone, Jim (Caren) Samorian, Jr. and John (Kim Shriver) Samorian, and their father, Jim Samorian, Sr., 7 grandchildren: Nicholas Giacone, Jr., Jennifer (Chad) Pierce, Catherine Giacone, CJ (Chris) Samorian,, Josh (Amber) Samorian, Sam (Bekah) Samorian, Emma Joy Samorian and 7 great grandchildren: Gavin and Presley Pierce, Emmett and Averie Samorian, and Emelia, Elijah and Oliver Samorian. She is also survived by her long-time partner, Sterling Bantle.

A special thank you to the staff at Alden Debes, especially Deb, Theresa, Dana and Shannon and St. Croix Hospice, Lisa, Abby and Katie, for their care of Judi.

A celebration of Judi’s life will be held in October, 2025. Memorials may be made to the family with charities to be named later. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.