Judith "Judy" Corrao

Judith “Judy” Carol Corrao (nee Martinson), 78, of Minneapolis passed away at Hennepin County Medical Center on August 29, 2020, following surgery for injuries due to a recent fall.  Her husband, Milton Schoen, along with son, Jay, and daughter-in-law, Trina, at her side.

Judy was born in 1942, at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis to Carl Edwin and Blanch Agatha.  She was a lifelong resident of Minneapolis except for brief stays on a farm with her mother and grandparents during WWII and in New York City with her first husband and son.  As a young girl growing up on the northside, she attended Ascension grade school which she often attributed to the strong spiritual beliefs she held. A struggling single parent, she lived in Glendale public housing while attending the University of Minnesota.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.  Judy spent most of her adult life in South Minneapolis.  She loved the City and devoted most of her life to improving the lives of others as a social worker and as a participant in politics, supporting political leaders, particularly women, starting with managing Phyllis Kahn’s first campaign for state representative in 1972.  Judy helped found the first halfway houses for men and women in Minnesota, the Alpha House, and Elan.

Judy was elected to the Minneapolis City Council in 1977 and represented the 2nd Ward for two terms, after which she worked for Hennepin County, eventually becoming a social worker for Hennepin County Volunteer Services and Community Partnerships.  There she organized volunteers and led community engagement activities. She was particularly proud of being the president of the MSSA (Minnesota Social Services Association) and legislative co-chair for many years.  Judy also took pride in her long-running and popular public access MTN interview show (The Judy Corrao Show) that featured state, local government, and community leaders.  Judy had an enormous sense of social justice, compassion, and empathy and was greatly moved by the circumstances of others.  Her son, Jay, said, “There is no one who knew her whose life was not changed for the better.”

Judy was the oldest of seven children; mother of Jay Corrao (Trina), Apple Valley; and her treasured granddaughter Sophia, currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. She and Milt were married on November 7th, 2004, and were partners for many more.  She was recently able to travel to Duluth with her family and was pleased with the respite from the COVID quarantine.

Judy and Milt were able to travel extensively, particularly after retirement.  They especially enjoyed their tours with Father Joe Gillespie of St. Alberts Catholic Church, going to South America, Israel, and Croatia.  They also enjoyed driving around the United States and especially appreciated the National Parks.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Blanche; her sister, Kathy; and brother-in-law, Harold.  She is survived by her husband, Milton Schoen; son, Jay Corrao (Trina); granddaughter, Sophia Corrao; brother, John (Judy); brother, Jim (Vicki); sister, Marilyn (Jim); brother, Greg (Kim); brother, Tom (Nancy); nieces, Nicole and Kelly; and nephews, Jeff, Matthew, Justin, and Andrew.

Judy will be laid to rest Thursday, September 3, 2020, with private Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am.  Public interment will be held at Lakewood Cemetery (3600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis) at 12:30 pm. A livestream will be provided by Bradshaw.

For those who are interested the family respectfully requests donations to be made out to the Hennepin County Special Gift Fund or Risen Christ School.