Judith Ann La Rose's Obituary
Judith Ann La Rose of Fort Myers, Florida passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, on Thursday, February 14, 2019. She was 77 years old when she joined her husband in Heaven.Judith was born in Rockville, Connecticut on September 21, 1941, daughter of Dolores (Whalen) and Wilbur Schlichting. She married Henry Robert La Rose on August 26, 1961 at St. Catherine’s Church in Broad Brook, Connecticut. Henry and Judy exemplified a loving marriage and raised four daughters: Judy, Dianne, Nola and Sarah.Judy and Henry stayed in Connecticut after they were married and started their family. They lived in Colorado, Delaware and in 1976, they relocated and settled down in Fort Myers, Florida. While raising her children, Judith received her Associate Degree from Edison Community College and continued her education at USF.Family was important to Judy her entire life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. If you were Judy’s friend, you were friends for life. She had a positive attitude and a fantastic sense of humor. She and her husband loved hosting parties and dinners in their home for family and friends. They surrounded themselves with their loved ones and always made people feel welcome in their home.Judy and Henry enjoyed camping and camped at Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Several family vacations with their children were spent camping and exploring. In retirement, they travelled across the country spanning from Florida to Alaska to Newfoundland and many places between.She loved traveling, camping, bike riding, canoeing, hiking, reading, games, cards, bridge, crosswords, exercise classes, Facebook with her friends and tea parties. She and Henry loved to get dressed up and go out dancing. They frequently attended dances hosted at their church and danced into the night.Judy retired from Saint Francis Xavier Services for the Elderly. She and Henry were Eucharistic Ministers and members of the church choir for many years. They performed with Gulf Coast Opera in many performances, including Fiddler on the Roof.Judy leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughters Judy Boutiette (Robert) of Tennessee, Dianne McFadden (Kevin) of Florida, Nola La Rose (Steve Pawlowski) of Florida, and Sarah La Rose-Holland (Mark Holland) of Minnesota, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Judy is also survived by two grandchildren, Lindsey Boutiette and Bryce McFadden. Judy was preceded in death by her husband Henry La Rose and precious infant twins Justine & Jessica, her parents Dolores (Whalen), Wilbur Schlichting and her step father Frederick Stack.Judy was one of the first to move into the American House Senior Living Community in May of 2018. She started making friends there immediately. They helped to bring back the beautiful sparkle in her eyes that we hadn’t seen since her loving husband Henry had passed in 2017. She loved spending time with all the residents and staff at American House. They were like a second family to her. Her family also enjoys the friends they have made at the American House and appreciate all they have contributed to the final months of Judy’s life.Judith Ann La Rose lived a beautiful and long life with her husband and their children and grandchildren. She loved adventure, a delicious meal and dessert, laughed frequently and made friends everywhere she went. She won people’s affection with her positivity, delightful sense of humor, charming wit and generous heart. She will be greatly missed.A Funeral Mass in Judy’s honor will be held at Saint Cecilia Catholic Community Church on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Judy’s life at a reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the mass. The church is located at 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (12468 Brantley Commons Court Ft. Myers, FL 33907), Hope Hospice (9470 Healthpark Cir, Fort Myers, FL 33908) or Saint Cecilia Catholic Community Church.To share a story, leave a tribute, or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time, please visit Judy’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign her guestbook.
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