Judith Marie Leary

Portland, ME- We are sad to announce the passing of Judith Marie Leary of Portland, ME. She passed peacefully at the age of 67 on May 8, 2023. Judy was next to the one she loved most in this world, slipping away in her morning sleep.

Growing up in the Rosemont area of Portland, Judy was born on March 30, 1956 at Mercy Hospital. She attended Saint Patrick’s Catholic school and graduated from Deering High School in 1974. Afterwards, she attended USM with a focus on childhood education. Her greatest passions in life were for her family and her love of travel. Whether it was walking the fields and moors of Great Britain doing ancestral research with family or living the beautiful life on an all-girls trip to Italy with high school friends, she loved every corner of the world and the excitement and making each memory. There were trips with her husband to London, Paris, and the Caribbean. So many wonderful family memories were shared in Florida, California, and Washington D.C., to name just a few. Also of note was an annual family trip to Saratoga Springs to watch the Travers Stakes.

Judy could always be found enjoying a book, telling a great story, or finishing up another beautiful craft project. She was very skilled in basket weaving, ceramics, and various paper crafts. She had a most intelligent and creative mind. She was a fan of all the local New England sports teams and had a special love for the Sea Dogs and participated in their Mother’s Day 5K. She loved walking her dogs and loved being the world’s greatest nana to her three beloved grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her father and mother, Wilfred W. Graham and Ruth Elizabeth Graham (née Hurd), as well as her older brothers, Donald and David. She is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, Bill as well as her sons, Will and Bryan and their respective wives, Erika and Angel, and her grandsons, Liam, Aras and Kasper and grand pup, Harley, who always made her smile. She is also survived by her brothers, sisters-in-law, cousins and many friends.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 pm on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Judith’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.