JUDITH SHERRY KENDALL

July 14, 1933 - January 25, 2020

A memorial service is planned for July 14, 2020 at Christ Episcopal Church, 501 S. State Street, Dover, Delaware.

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Judy had always remarked that when it was her time to go, we were to set her on an ice floe and watch her sail off into the sunset. We would like to think that in her own indomitable way, she did just that.

Born on July 14, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to Margaret Grace Sherry and George Rufus Sherry, Judith (Sherry) Kendall passed away on January 25, 2020 after a brief illness in Melbourne, FL. Hers was a life well lived. Growing up in a rural community close to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Judy was an accomplished athlete and alumnus of Rancocas Valley Regional H.S. in Mt. Holly, NJ, which was followed by studies at the University of Vermont.

Her passion for the outdoors was limitless. Whether camping with her family in Lake George (and facing down a rattlesnake), canoeing in the Adirondacks or in the wilds of Canada, she listened always and eagerly for the call of the loons across the water.

Judy had three passions in her life – her children, education and travel. Judy was an explorer, a traveler, a voyageur. With children in tow, she experienced the vast expanse of the US of A and Canada, travelling to Alaska and the Yukon. She marveled at the natural splendor that these two countries offered to those with an adventurous spirit and was blessed to have shared it with her children. A moonrise over Mt. McKinley would not be soon forgotten.

In her later years, Judy continued to explore the American countryside with her best friend Ginny Raymond, who shared her passion for photography and rustic barns (irate farmers notwithstanding). While Judy continued to travel to far-flung locations, her ultimate goal was the Arctic Circle which she finally reached in 1990. Described as otherworldly, Judy’s wish was to explore North America’s last frontier, an area carpeted by forest, tundra, countless rivers and lakes, polar bears and herds of caribou. Her arms outstretched in a memorable photo, it captured her joy and spirit that connected her to the Arctic.

Above all, Judy was a New Englander and patriot who loved her country deeply and flew her colors when it mattered most, every July 4th in Binney Park, in Old Greenwich. Judy shared her passion for photojournalism with her community in the many nature talks and presentations that she gave, and the columns that she wrote for the Greenwich Times, under the banner of “Tales from a Wayward Bus” (with a nod to Ernest Hemingway). Whether as a trained EMT or professional school bus driver for Laidlaw, her whimsical and sometimes thought provoking columns never lacked for writing material. Judy was very much involved as a community volunteer, whether teaching Sunday school, tutoring children or as a Girl Scout leader for 20 years, writing many handbooks on badges for the National Girl Scouts organization.

Judy is survived by her five children, Sherry Larson Reese (Robert), Laurie Rajewski (Vic), Whitson (Liz), Matthew (Diane), Margaret Castellano (Alex), and many grandchildren and great grandchildren from coast to coast. The Kendall family is grateful to the medical staff at Holmes Regional Medical Center for the critical care and attention provided to Judy Kendall when it was needed most.