Judith Ann Means

Judith (Judy) Ann Means passed away peacefully , surrounded by the love of her family, on Thursday August 8, 2024 at VITAS Hospice. She was 78 years old, a life well-lived and richly blessed.

Born on February 19, 1946, in Salem, MA, Judy was the beloved daughter of Charles and Winnie Means and the cherished little sister of Tanya (Mitchell) Means.  Growing up in a military family, Judy’s early years were filled with adventure and travel, yet her heart found a home in the then small town of Satellite Beach, Florida where she graduated from Satellite High School. It was here that Judy’s warm, caring nature began to bloom – a quality that would touch countless lives throughout her journey.In 1972, Judy became a mother to her daughter, Ashley (Brooker) Behrend. In the early 1970’s, Judy earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in School Counseling from the University of Central Florida , setting the stage for a remarkable 30+ year career in teaching.  With unwavering dedication, she nurtured and inspired thousands of young minds, retiring in 2011 from Indialantic Elementary in the Brevard Public School system. 

In 1999, Judy embraced a new chapter in her life as she became a grandma to identical twin boys, Caleb and Jacob. She relished her role as “Grandma”, pouring her boundless love into every moment spent with them. Even though Judy came from a small family, she was a cherished and honorary member of many people’s lives. Her small family grew into a vast, extended family of lifelong friends who became sisters, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren in spirit.  Judy had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel like they were part of her family, and she shared her love and laughter with all.  Judy had such a wide circle of friends whom she lovingly referred to as the “breakfast group” or the “antiquing group”, the “Charlotte group”, or the “movie group” just to name a few.

Judy had a zest for life! She loved hunting for antiques, visiting her sister, watching movies, finding a bargain at TJMaxx, or just being in her garden watching the birds and the butterflies. She was a kind, sweet, and generous soul. If you had an issue, she had a solution! She made the best pumpkin rolls and gooey buttercake! She loved Thanksgiving and all the fixings. Her favorite color was white! She loved to shop, and she loved to research on Google!

Judy’s memory will be kept alive by her daughter, Ashley, and son-in-law, Dave. By her sister, Tanya and by her grandchildren Caleb and Jacob and her step grandchildren Nate, Mary, David, and Anna. Her memory and legacy will also live on in the hearts of her best friends and their children too and by all the others that knew and loved her.She will be missed deeply, but her spirit will continue to guide and inspire all who were blessed to have known her.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” ~Winnie the Pooh

A private celebration of life will be held in September to honor her wonderful life.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to VITAS Hospice in her honor. They treated her with care, love, and compassion through the end of her life. Vitascommunityconnection.org