Judy Wellington, 73

Judith Kay (Gildea) Wellington died on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, PA. Judy grew up in Three Rivers, and was a graduate of Three Rivers High School, where she participated in cheerleading. In 1964 she had the honor of becoming Miss Three Rivers and representing Three Rivers in the Miss Michigan competition. After high school Judy attended Kalamazoo College, where she graduated with a BA in English and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Judy moved from Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor, and later to Merion Station, PA with her husband and two sons where she resided for 43 years. Late in life she moved to Ardmore, PA where she resided until her death. In Pennsylvania Judy continued her community work through the efforts of Alpha Chi Omega. She was gregarious, articulate, compassionate, and a patient listener. While she had an array of roles in her lifetime, she was avid in her role as caretaker of her family.
Judy was an outstanding, self-taught chef and baker. She enjoyed sharing recipes and discussing her travel experiences over a cup of hot tea with honey. She was famous among her children’s friends for her chocolate chip cookies, her kind heart and for creating a loving sense of being at home for all who came to visit and share time with the family. Judy was a natural with animals and cared for countless pets over the years. Even as she enjoyed all of those things nothing brought her more joy than her two grandsons Cole and Ryan. She attended every possible school and sporting event and put her former high school cheerleading talents to use cheering on her grandsons.
After a car accident nearly took her life, and after successfully fighting cancer Judy was relentless in her spirit for living. As declining health set in and took hold for several years leading to her death she continued to exhibit a passion for family. Facing her health challenges head on she showed remarkable courage and a fearless optimism that was an inspiration to all who came to know her.
Judy was predeceased in death by her son Jeffrey S. Wellington, mother Mary M. Gildea, father Cleon E Gildea, sisters Marianne Gildea, Nancy Ann Gildea. She is survived by her son Ralph G. Wellington II (Amanda), Daughter-in-law Christine Wellington, grandsons Cole J. Wellington, Ryan T. Wellington, brothers James C. Gildea, Thomas L. Gildea, sister Nancy L. (Gildea) Ludlow, four nieces, two nephews, and seven great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be shared on Friday, September 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Eickhoff Farrand Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers, with a rosary commencing at 7:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on September 28th at 12:00 at Immaculate Conception Church in Three Rivers with interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Judy’s warm and welcoming smile and loving spirit will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.