Judy Sullivan, 81, of Emmaus, died Sept. 5, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital with her family and a dear friend at her side. She was the wife of Marshall Sullivan. Born in Uniontown, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Mary Shanaberger.

She spent most of her childhood in Jacksonville, Ala., after her father was transferred to an Army base there. She attended and graduated from Jacksonville State University. Following a year of teaching high school math and science, she applied for a job at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

She became the first woman engineer hired into NASA Spacecraft Operations. In this position, she worked closely with the astronauts. One of the highlights of her NASA career was being singled out by Neil Armstrong with a “goodbye, Judy” as he departed the suit lab on his way to the Apollo 11 spacecraft and the moon.

In her later years, she enjoyed a modest career in modeling and acting which frequently took her to New York City and Philadelphia. She had a very outgoing and engaging personality. She loved meeting new people and never had a negative word to say about anyone. She awoke every day with a smile on her face irrespective of difficulties she might have been experiencing at the time.

She is survived by her husband; son, Matthew, of Atlanta, Ga.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the ASPCA.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., 250 Main St., Emmaus. Visitation with family 1-2 p.m.