Judy Stirling

Judy Stirling of Ithaca, NY  The world is ours to mold and bend and find contentment at the end

Judy Stirling passed away peacefully in Ithaca NY in the company of family and loving caregivers on February 1, 2022 at the age of 93. She will be remembered for her constant smile, eternal optimism, and contagious appreciation for those around her. She was gregarious, deeply generous, and a lifelong learner. Her life was filled with laughter and love.

Born Evelyn Byrd Hall on May 1st, 1928, she went by Judy since childhood. Her parents were Catherine (Ge) Hall and Philip Wells (Gramps) Hall of Cranford NJ, and she was born in the home she would return to 60 years later to live with her late husband and soulmate John Stirling. She shared her childhood with adored brother Phil. Her life would take her to North Plainfield NJ where she raised her sons, and later to Califon and Westfield NJ, before returning to her birthplace. In later years Judy became a resident of Ithaca NY to be close to her sons.

Judy was an artist extraordinaire. She was a published poet, skilled at pen and ink drawings, painting, and pastels. And she was a true master at hooking exquisitely detailed wool rugs. While her life was deeply devoted to her family, Judy was committed to service throughout her life including work at The Plainfield Library, Muhlenberg Hospital, the Cranford Progress Club, and her beloved Poetry Club at Kendal at Ithaca. In addition to her art, her other passions included golfing at Echo Lake Country Club, beach combing with her Saint Bernards at her Normandy Beach cottage, and spending time outdoors in places like Grafton VT, and the Watchung Reservation. Above all, Judy treasured times with her growing family and her many close friends, most notably Pinky and Ellen -- dear friends since childhood. Judy is survived by sons Sox Sperry (Lisa Tsetse), Chris Sperry (Karin Suskin), and Lincoln Sperry; daughters Lynn Stirling and Karen Hespe; eight grandchildren, nieces, nephews and two great grandchildren. Her dear daughter Susan Stirling and grandson Mischa Tsetse predeceased her.

A Zoom celebration of Judy’s life is planned for her 94th birthday May 1st 2022. For questions or information on her memorial contact Lincoln at ry0la@hotmail.com (that’s r-y-zero-l-a). She will be laid to rest surrounded by many loved ones at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield NJ later this year. Judy and the family want to send our deepest appreciations to the wonderful staff at Kendal who have guided her through so many passages. In lieu of flowers Judy would want you to serve the world, take a walk with a loved one and share memories of her…she'll be listening and smiling.

She earned her rest, she gave her best, she's reached that perfect goal!