Judy was born Judith Blanche Cole on April 29th, 1943 to Clyde and Edna Cole of South Brookfield NS; she was one of eight children.
Judy began her career as a teacher at the young age of eighteen in a two-room schoolhouse in Caledonia, NS. After moving to Dartmouth to continue teaching, she met Stephen MacPhee at the Jubilee Boat Club. They married in 1966, settling in Halifax where they had three children. They moved to Ottawa and back to Nova Scotia in support of Steve’s career as they raised their children. Judy paused her own teaching career at this time but used her skills as a valued school volunteer, speech therapist, and designated community organizer. She returned to school herself as her nest emptied and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount St. Vincent University with a double major in Finance and Accounting.
Judy is survived by her husband, Stephen; her children, Timothy (Erika), Michael (Josee), Erika (Stephan), Elizabeth, and Rebecca; her siblings Eric (Judy) and Marge (Hal); and her grandchildren Natasha, Cole, Grace, Paul, Owen, Liam, Alison, Amanda, and Alyssa. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Judy will be remembered for many wonderful traits, acts of service, and quirks; however, most notably she will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Those who knew Judy would also recognize her love of gardening, her expertise in sewing and glasswork, her interest in home renovation projects, her ability to explain difficult math to anyone, her affection for dogs, and her love of mystery novels.
As per Judy’s wishes, there will not be a ceremony to commemorate her death. Rather, the family will gather in one of her favourite spots, Gabarus NS, where her ashes will be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean.
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