Obituary of Judith Ann Stitt
Imagine the beauty of it –
that moment when the soul
of a loved one
returns to the stars,
their voices each whispering,
“I remember you”
Judith Ann Stitt passed away peacefully at home on September 17, 2022. Judy was born September 5, 1949, in Bradford, PA to Eugene and Agnes Henderson. She graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1967 and subsequently earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure University.
Judy’s professional career was primarily devoted to the care and support of Hospice patients and their families as well as clinical individual counseling.
Judy married Donald Stitt in 1992 and has one son, Chad Michael, from her previous marriage to Patrick Shields. Judy and Don moved to Venice, Florida in 2000 from Binghamton, New York.
Judy loved people, and people loved her back. She was at ease engaging anyone in conversation. She enjoyed much love from her friends, her family, and all dogs. Favorite activities included walking, golf, sunsets, cooking, luncheons, hosting dinner parties, and working out (socializing) at the YMCA.
Judy and Don enjoyed traveling when possible, including trips to Toronto, Cancun, Hawaii, and especially their a 25th Anniversary trip to Seattle for an extended Alaskan land and sea cruise. Especially near and dear to Judy’s heart were luncheons with friends, Steeler games, and the infamous Martini Night on Fridays.
Judy battled Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma from 1997 until a successful bone marrow transplant in 2001 at Moffitt Cancer Center where her only sibling, William Henderson, was her perfect-match bone marrow donor. Judy enjoyed over 15 years in remission until she was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in 2018, always saying “but I never smoked a day in my life”. With her warrior spirit she outlived expectations once again.
A cherished daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Judy was predeceased by her parents and her brother William, and is survived by her husband Don, son Chad (Sheila), grandchildren Colin Shields, Makenzie Shields, Lauren Stephens, and Jessi Stephens-Beckham (Adam), and great granddaughter Annabelle.
A celebration of life will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023, at Fins at Sharky’s (https://www.finsatsharkys.com) in Venice, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, contributions and memorials can be sent to the Humane Society of Sarasota County and Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
