Judith Ann Easterly
On Thursday, January 26, 2017 Judith Ann Easterly, 68, of Hyattsville, MD, beloved sister of Susan M. Easterly-Markland and Steven R. Easterly, and the late Michael P., David J. and Dennis J. Easterly died peacefully following a brave battle with cancer. Known to her friends as Judy — NEVER JUDITH –, she is survived by six nieces and nephews and one grand niece.
Judy was born the first of six children to Herbert and Dorothy Easterly in Washington, D.C. She attended The Academy of Our Lady Catholic high school in D.C. and spent her free time volunteering at Carroll Manor Nursing Home. Many times she took her little sister along with her only after stopping at the park along the way to have a picnic of twinkies and soda pop.
After high school, Judy joined the Order of Carmelites, taking the name Sister M. Jude Thomas of the Holy Spirit and spending much of her time with the Order in a convent at St. Teresa of Avila, NY.
After leaving the convent, she went to work at The Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in DC as a Personnel Specialist and then later at Fulbright and Jaworski, LLP as a Legal Secretary. She remained active in the Church all her life, performing in a Gospel choir for many years. Like all of the members of her family, Judy was very fond of music, but Gospel music was her absolute favorite.
Judy was also a lifelong lover of dogs. After raising several dogs of her own, she became a dedicated member of the Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland, opening her home to a veritable herd of foster Beagles. Through her years of work with the Beagle Rescue, many rescued dogs found their forever homes with loving families.
In her spare time, Judy was a Bubble Bobble pro and amazingly gifted at crochet — not a single niece or nephew wasn’t welcomed into the world without a Judy Easterly original baby blanket.
And when it came to spoiling her nieces and nephews, she was a master — no Christmas was complete until they received their massive Aunt Jooey Signature Stocking packed with every single thing they wanted.
Though, it was later revealed that her uncanny ability to select the best Christmas gifts ever was due to her accidentally giving duplicates of everything “Santa” had already gotten them. Needless to say, Santa was a little miffed on more than one Christmas Eve.
Then again, we can’t begrudge her a little payback considering how much we all liked picking on her — she never could roll a bowling ball without her sister, Susie and her sister-in-law, Diane, screaming “JUDYJUDYJUDYJUDY!”
She was not a fan. …At all.
But as her family likes to say, “we only pick on people we love.” If this is true, Judy was by far the most beloved member of the family. And certainly no one ever let her forget it.
Judy was a loving sister, a super funny aunt, and a wonderful friend to so many people. She spent most of her life doing what she loved: taking care of others. Caring for people as a volunteer. Caring for people in the Catholic Church. Caring for her siblings and their children. And caring for all of those little beagles she loved so much.
She will be missed each and every day by those who had the privilege to know and love the kind and compassionate person she was.
…Except maybe by her late brother, Mike. If we had to guess, she’s probably trying to get him to paint something for her right about now.
Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard, West, Silver Spring, MD, on Sunday, February 5 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Valet Parking is available. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Camillis Church, 1600 St. Camillus DR, Silver Spring, MD on Monday, February 6 at 11 a.m. to be followed by the internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Memorial Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland, P.O. Box 983, Waldorf, MD 20604.
