Ashley lost her family’s matriarch, Grandma Judy, during the pandemic. The isolation made it harder for those she loved the most to gather and celebrate Judy’s life. Today, on her grandma’s 85th birthday, Ashley wants to share the story of a woman of great strength, endless love, immense generosity, and the best laugh in town. 

Judy was larger than life in many ways. One nickname wasn’t enough for Judith Molly, she was also called Joodles, Judes, Big Jude, and the family’s personal favorite, “Grandma Ju-Ju”. She was the ‘Queen Bee’, the ‘Bette Meddler’ of her family, always in everyone’s business and remembering anything that was ever said to her. Her 24-7 perfectly coiffed hair and impeccable style earned her the brand ‘Judyful’ [Judy + beautiful]. She had 50 shades of Clinique lipstick and a handbag to match every outfit. Her jewelry was an array of classic pieces and bold, big, costume wear. Her Judy scent so recognizable to everyone that knew her

Judy was the type of person who sometimes cared too much. She was a caretaker of those that mattered the most to her, especially her beloved husband, Jules, during the many years that he was sick. Her resilience, humor, dedication, and adoration pulled him and their family through many dark days. She was very good at worrying before there was worry to be had, but often, her worrying made it so that someone else did not have to. She was a gifted and captivating storyteller, expressed creativity through her painting and needle arts, enjoyed routinely watching many television shows and the latest movies, and was constantly catching up on the telephone. Her family cherished trips to Vermont and Florida, the way she made room for sweets even after she was stuffed, her extensive and ‘museum worthy’ collection of plates, tea sets, and many other ‘chachkas’ that brought her so much joy, and her behind- the-scenes support for the arts and her beloved charities. What is remembered the most is how much Judy cherished her time with her darling husband, Jules, her growing family, and many dear friends.

Judy used her gravity to pull and interweave her family together. While her family loved her boldness, it is the little details of her life that they recall the most. Those ever-so-little daily memories of Judy are the very fabric that maintain her family’s loving and everlasting bond.

The Judy 14k Gold Braided Ring

The braid of the Judy ring honors the matriarchs of families, who always find ways to keep their loved ones connected and interweaved together.