Judith Stevens

Judith Judy Miriam Vincent Stevens, 69, passed away peacefully at home in Portsmouth, RI, with family by her side on Monday, April 6, 2009.Born in Hartford, CT, on April 27, 1939, Judy was the daughter of the late Joseph P. Vincent and Rowena Washburn Vincent Merrill. She was the middle sibling of 3 children and a step sister. As a child, she enjoyed fishing with her Dad and outdoor activities. Judy graduated from Wakefield High School, Alexandria VA in 1957 and went on to Bay Path College in Longmeadow, MA, graduating in 1959. In 1960, she and her sister were the first few administrative assistants at Raytheon in Newport, RI. In 1962, she married Frank M. Stevens, Jr., in Newport, RI. Judy raised 3 children starting in 1964, living in Rochester, New York and eventually settling in Portsmouth, RI. Along with caring for and raising her children, being an avid gardener, expert seamstress, crafty homemaker, she spent a period of time employed at the Portsmouth Abbey and Raytheon, both of Portsmouth, RI. After retiring in the early 90s, Judy spent a brief time working as a home companion. She was able to take up her gardening full time, taking in many feline companions over the years, volunteering at the Robert Potter League, traveling with friends to Bermuda; Italy with her brother and sister in-law; Seaworld and Disneyworld with her children and grandchildren, and most recently, Ireland with her son, Kevin. Judy also enjoyed many fun events and the sisterhood of many within the Healing CoOp thru her illness.In addition to being a devoted Mom, Judy, was a loving grandmother, aunt, sister, stepsister, stepdaughter and friend whose spirit of strength and support will be greatly missed. Judy leaves a daughter, Pamela and son in-law, Ken Reynolds and their 2 children, Matthew and Justin of Middletown, RI; a son, Kevin Stevens of Cambridge, MA; a son, Gregg Stevens and daughter in-law, Kristina Kline of Clermont, FL; a brother, Joseph P. Vincent, Jr. and sister in-law, Elizabeth MacAulay of Norwood, MA; a stepsister, Patricia Merrill and brother in-law Richard Budd of Portland, ME; a step-dad, USN Ret. Capt. Sidney D. B. Merrill and his wife Terry Winiarski of Portsmouth, RI; along with nieces and nephews, Rolf and Eric Budd, Andrea Larison-Masch and her family, Johnny Larison, Patrick Vincent as well as Judys 2 feline companions, Buddy and Samantha. She joins her late sister, Barbara Vincent Larison.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at 11:00 in St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial to follow in St. Marys Churchyard.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the following: The Healing Co-Op, 272 Mitchells Lane, Middletown, RI 02842 www.thehealingcoop.org, The Visiting Nurse Services of Newport County, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 www.vnsri.com; St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 www.saintmarysepiscopalchurch.org.