Judith Francesco
February 15, 1938- June 20, 2025
Judith Francesco, 87, passed away on June 20th, 2025. She was born in Union City, New Jersey and lived most of her childhood in West New York where she graduated from Memorial High School in 1955. After high school, she found her calling and went on to have a very successful career as a cardiac nurse for almost 40 years.
To say that Judy led an extraordinary life would be an understatement. She spent her years rescuing dogs and cats and birds and guinea pigs. She was always busy helping others, giving her time in many ways at places including the Bronx Zoo, the local animal shelter, the ER, and the library. She surrounded herself with a strong circle of devoted friends and seemed to make new friends wherever she went.
Judy’s love of nature and adventure led to over 40 years of travel. She saw and did things that most people only dream of. She sat among gorillas in Rwanda, photographed polar bears in Manitoba, swam with turtles in the Galapagos, rode a camel in Egypt, and narrowly escaped a coup in Grenada via sailboat. Her pictures and stories are truly one of a kind.
After retirement, Judy built a home in Hemlock Farms in Lords Valley, Pennsylvania. This was her paradise. She loved living in the woods and filled the days watching wildlife in her backyard. She enjoyed kayaking on the lake, playing mahjong on Thursdays, and leading the Hemlock Farms Writers Group. She was living proof that you are never too old to try new things. She got her first tattoo at 70, published her first book at 82 and learned how to play the ukulele at 86. She loved coloring, painting, and making beautiful diamond art.
She is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Catherine Francesco. She is survived by many loving cousins and loyal friends. Those who knew her will forever miss her stories, her sense of humor, and her gusto for life.
There will be a Celebration of Life in Judy’s memory on October 11 at the Conference Center in Hemlock Farms from 12:00-3:00.
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Joan isolano
Judy was a kind and wonderful woman who lived a full and beautiful life. I feel fortunate to have known her.
Pamela Townsend
I am so very sorry for your loss of dear Judy.
I met Judy after putting an ad in the Hemlock paper for help after breaking my ankle! She became my best friend, I moved to Virginia several years ago but we would still stay in touch. We would talk often about politics, sports, especially tennis, Yank’s and Mets and of course her favorite football team Kansas City Chiefs! We would laugh so much when she would call to say she did her spring dance on the back deck with the first sight of geese flying over in Spring! Thank goodness the deck faced the woods! We would laugh at her stories about Sunny, her parrot, doing a dance every morning, Judy would dance back at her! Maize being jealous of newcomer Stan and not letting him come down the stairs, but Stan would get his way by stealthy moving around the house. I would push her to write about her pets and her Caribbean getaways, so glad she did.
What a zest for life Judy had, I think she did more in her 80’s after health issues stopped her from Kayaking, she was so happy to have so many new friends, which she adored.
Be at peace my dear friend.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.