Judie Gaudette

Our beloved Judith “Judie” Ann Jones Gaudette passed away the afternoon of January 29, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, four months shy of her 81st birthday. A gifted artist, guitarist and storyteller, Judie was a pillar in her family. She was the proud matriarch of four children, 15 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. She made time for everyone and devoted her attention to each moment you were in her presence. Judie treated everyone the same, graciously pouring her gifts of humor, forgiveness, a little bit of sass, and a whole lot of strength into our hearts. She was the fiercest prayer warrior you could ask for. She was difficult to defeat playing games, especially Scrabble and Phase 10. When not conversing with or entertaining others, she could be found quietly nestled in her favorite chair with a good book or crossword puzzle. If you were a passerby of her front porch, you’d be graced by a spritely “hello” and wave. To know Judie means to have known true beauty, light, and grace. Her legacy of unconditional love, illuminating light, and effortless faith will forever swell in the folds of our memory and will, without a doubt, fortify us, lift us, and renew us as we face a life without her.

Judie is survived by her husband, Gerard “Jerry” Gaudette, of Windermere, FL, having celebrated 61 years of marriage in September 2021. She is also survived by her sisters, Roberta (Robert) Mulazzi of Scarborough, ME, Jean Joseph of LeHigh Acres, FL, brothers Robert (Mary Ann) Jones of San Diego, CA, Michael (Michelle) Jones of Hebron, IL, John Bergeron of Marco Island, FL, Franklyn (Sue Emmy) Jones of San Jose, CA, Patrick (Robin) Jones of Beersheba Springs, TN, Bill (Cathy) Cullen of Seminole, FL. She is survived by her four children; Jeff (Stephanie) Gaudette, Lisa (Brad) Whittington, Bobby Gaudette, Michelle (Francisco) Gaudette Long. She was blessed with 15 grandchildren; Jeremiah (Sarah) Gaudette, Jordan (Ashley) Gaudette, Josiah Wess, Hannah (Ryan) McKee, Michael (Jessica) Wess, Elise Gaudette, Isaiah Gaudette, Sophia Wess, Eli Wess, Isobel Wess, Angel Long, Jessica, Victoria, River, and Sage Jeffcoat. Judie also had eight great grandchildren; Trayne and River Gaudette, Nova Gaudette, Milo and Lucia Wess, Riley McKee, Isaiah and Donovan (Jessica). She is also survived by aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and second cousins.

Judie was born to the late Robert Leo Jones and Anita Grace Bergeron in New York, NY, May 6, 1941. As an infant, Maine became her home. She attended the Portland School of Art in Portland, ME; worked summers at Bill’s Pizza in Old Orchard Beach, ME where she and Jerry met; worked at Chevy Country Club in Glendale, CA; and worked a few holiday peak times at Walt Disney World Resort. She treasured her roles as wife, mother, grand/great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend creating wonderful memories filled with laughter, games, art, and beach time flying kites, jumping waves, and soaking in the sun. She started a folk Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church; she studied and became a Third Order Fansciscan; she and Jerry teamed many Marriage Encounter Retreats during the 1980s in Central Florida and worked as a team assisting couples through FOCUS Program marriage preparation at Holy Family Catholic Church; she coached YMCA Pop Warner Cheerleading; and was known to open her home to family and friends needing a place to call home; she lovingly rescued and nurtured many a wayward animal. She meant so much to many.

Arrangements include: Visitation and viewing Thursday, February 17, 2022, 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Friday, February 18, 2022, 10:30 AM, 5125 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, with reception in General Flynn Hall immediately following. Internment Commitment, same day, at 1:30 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In honor of Judie who lived life in technicolor, we invite you to wear a splash of yellow (her signature color) or green (her favorite color).

NOTE: Out of respect for the family and immunocompromised guests, masks are heavily encouraged at all indoor events.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online at St. Jude Children’s Research and Hospital (stjude.org), Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine (gsfb.org), and Holy family Catholic Church (holyfamilyorlando.com). Some links will directly route you to a personal memorial fund page created for “Judith Ann Jones Gaudette”. If it does not, you can dedicate any donation on her behalf. All we ask is that you include the following name, email and address as the recipient so that we recognize and honor your generous gift: Lisa Whittington ([email protected]), 5009 Butler Ridge Dr. Windermere, FL 34786.