LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Beloved wife and mother, Judith (Heinhuis) Kirchner, age 62, of Lawrenceville, Ga., died suddenly in a tragic accident when an airplane struck and destroyed her home on the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 30, 2009.

Born and raised in Elkhart, Ind., Judy was a banking executive before retiring and moving with her husband to Georgia in 1994. An avid animal lover, she spent countless hours bird watching and had recently trained her devoted dog, Bella, to be a therapy dog for the elderly at nursing homes.

She is survived by her husband, Norman Kirchner of Lawrenceville; daughter and son-in-law, Erin and John Mulé of Lovettsville, Va.; her dog, Bella; one brother, William Heinhuis; one sister, Bettylou Fisher; and seven nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Judith's name may be given to one of her two favorite charities: C.R.O.W. -- Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife Inc., care of Carol in the C.R.O.W. Development Office, Post Office Box 150, Sanibel Island, FL 33957, phone (239) 472-3644; or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), donate online at www.aspca.org/donate/ (click on the memorial giving section) or call (800) 628-0028.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home, 120 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 (770-963-2411). The memorial service to celebrate the life of Judith will be at 11 a.m. at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com.