Judith Anne "Judy" Hanchett

Judith Anne “Judy” Hanchett passed away on June 2nd, at home surrounded by her family. Her death was the result of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Judy was born to Frank and Eveline Cavell on August 6, 1942, in Toronto, Canada. Judy spent her childhood in Toronto where she graduated Royal York High School in 1961. She and her family spent their summers at their cottage on Koshlong Lake in Haliburton, Ontario. She went on to be trained as a lab tech at the University of Toronto before immigrating to the United States where she worked as a lab tech at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. While working there, she met the love of her life, Bill Hanchett. Judy and Bill were married in 1967 and celebrated 57 years of marriage in April. As in every marriage, each had their spheres of responsibility. Judy’s involved carrying the conversation for both of them since Bill is known to be a man of very few words.

Judy and Bill became parents to their three children beginning in 1968 and she became a full-time Mom. After their births, she became a United States Citizen. While Judy was not known for her culinary skills (she hated cooking), she did know one crochet stitch that she used to make a few massive blankets. The Hanchett household was always bustling and full of activity - a tradition carried on by Lori, Drew and Dave in their homes today.

When the kids were older, Judy returned to paid employment working first as a receptionist and then in insurance sales at Community Health Plan (CHP). She later became an aid in occupational health before deciding to earn her nursing degree from Hudson Valley Community College at age 50. In her retirement, she and Bill were active volunteers for the American Red Cross.

Judy’s favorite place was next to a lake, where she spent her free time with family at Lake George, in upstate New York, and Koshlong Lake in Ontario. The only time she was happier was when she was by the lake with something chocolate – a s’more or a hot fudge sundae would do. In her time at the lake, she loved to read, do puzzles, play cards and sit around the campfire. Judy was quite skilled at Koshlong rummy, a game her American friends believe was made up. She was also active in her bridge club, bowling league and attending Proctors Theatre with friends.

When she wasn’t at the lake or at home, she traveled the world. She backpacked across Europe before marrying Bill, and together they road tripped across the country visiting the National Parks and attending the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. They also made it to London, Paris, Israel, Alaska and Florida. In her final travels, she has left us in body, but her spirit lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Janet. She is survived by her husband, Bill, and her children and grandchildren including Lori (husband Ivan) Brockman and their children Sara, Emma and Henry; Drew (wife Lyndsay) and their children Eveline, Julia and Patrick; and Dave (wife Tracy) and their children Ryder, Holden and Reed. She is also survived by her brother, David, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

The Hanchett family would like to express their gratitude to the kind heroes at Community Hospice. Contributions can be made in Judy’s name to: Community Hospice (www.communityhospice.org/donate)

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