Obituary: Judith Ann Jones Gaudette

Our beloved Judith “Judie” Ann Jones Gaudette passed away the afternoon of Jan. 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 eight 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, Florida, having celebrated 61 years of marriage in September 2021. She is also survived by her sisters, Roberta (Robert) Mulazzi of Scarborough, Maine, Jean Joseph of LeHigh Acres, Florida; brothers, Robert (Mary Ann) Jones of San Diego, California, Michael (Michelle) Jones of Hebron, Illinois, John Bergeron of Marco Island, Florida, Franklyn (Sue Emmy) Jones of San Jose, California, Patrick (Robin) Jones of Beersheba Springs, Tennessee, Bill (Cathy) Cullen of Seminole, Florida. 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, New York, May 6, 1941. As an infant, Maine became her home. She attended the Portland School of Art in Portland, Maine; worked summers at Bill’s Pizza in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where she and Jerry met; worked at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, California; 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 Fransciscan; 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 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, 5125 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819, with reception immediately following. 

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). Please note “Judith Gaudette Memorial”