Judith (Flower) White

Judith (Judy) Flower White, age 74, of Ithaca, New York, passed away on July 30, 2022. Judy was an only child born to Dr. George Edward Flower and Muriel Armstrong Flower in Montreal, Quebec on November 15, 1947. Surrounded by music and literature, Judy grew up to follow in the footsteps of her father as an educator and an exceptional musician.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell University in 1969 and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati as valedictorian in 1980. Judy married Kenneth William White on September 6, 1969 and divorced in July of 1987. She returned to Ithaca, New York, to raise her two children, Charles Allen White and Shawn Kirsten White (Jaquette).

Judy served the Ithaca community by teaching mathematics in a manipulatives laboratory at the Beverly J. Martin School (BJM) in the Ithaca City School District. For twenty-five years she supported student development of spatial relationships, number sense and calculation in ways that made math fun and understandable. Judy dedicated herself to the school community as a conflict management instructor and coach, and her years of commitment to the social-emotional development of the BJM students made a lasting impact on her students and community.

Judy was a first chair violinist at Cornell and went on to play professionally after college. Over time she became a jazz connoisseur and surrounded herself with music and art. Artistically endowed, after retiring as an educator, she enjoyed pottery, knitting, reading, writing, and friends and surrounded herself with family, plants, art, and her large collection of moose. Judy travelled in her retirement to Nunavik in the northern territories of Canada, where she explored Inuit cultures, carrying as much art as she could back to her home in Ithaca.  She was a dedicated “Big Red” Hockey fan and could be found rink-side inside the blue lines for every home game.

Judy was a loving mother to her children and their families, and a loyal friend to those close to her. Known for her smile and laugh, Judy was spirited, stubborn, and kind. She was considerate to all she encountered, and she will be dearly missed.

Judy is survived by her son Charles Allen (Maura) White of Fayetteville, New York, daughter Shawn White (Chris) Jaquette of Ventura, California, her four loving grandchildren Liam Maurice White, Ainsley Katherine White, Campbell Elizabeth White and River Kirsten Jaquette, and her two cousins Peter Rodger of Barrie, Ontario and Bryan Rodger of Vankleek Hill, Ontario.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on October 9, 2022 from 3 p.m. to sunset at the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park, Ithaca, New York.

Judy will be laid to rest in Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston, Ontario on November 12, 2022.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honour to the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. Online condolences may be made to Judy’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.