Obituary of Judith "Judie" Vande

           Judith “Judie” Vande, 83, of Webster, NY, passed away suddenly on Monday, June 13, 2022.

           The daughter of Ben and Virginia Swayze of Scipioville, New York, Judie graduated from Sherwood School in 1957 and Penn State in 1961 with her baccalaureate degree in microbiology. In 1962, she married Bruce Vande of Union Hill, New York. They celebrated 60 years of marriage earlier this month.

           Judie is survived by her husband, Bruce; children: Melissa (Jack) Grimm, Matthew (Amy Musser) Vande, and Katharine (Paul) Rupp; grandchildren: Caroline Grimm, Alex Grimm, and Nick Grimm; sister: Cheryl (John) Roemmelt; brother-in-law: Mark (Kass) Vande; and several nieces and nephews.

           As a child, she developed a love of horses which extended through her life from riding her childhood horse, Sweet Echo, to visiting the New York State Fair horse shows to following the happenings at Healing H’Arts Equestrian Center.

           Judie was an avid seamstress. Whether it was working with her 4-H group, sewing American Girl doll clothes, or quilting projects, she was always happy to be at the sewing machine. One of her favorite times of year involved Stitch Camp adventures with the American Sewing Guild. Within one of her core groups of friends (known to friends and family as The Loose Threads), Judie was known by the nickname, “Scrappy” which recognized her ability to never waste a scrap of fabric. Her travels with the Loose Threads were the source of many stories and much laughter. The endless number of bags, pillowcases, ornaments, tree skirts, and potholders made by Judie will be cherished by family and friends.

           Judie and Bruce traveled with their children, Chevy Suburban and Airstream (and maybe a boat and boat trailer on top of the Suburban) to Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, NC every summer for several decades.  Spending the day on the beach with family and dear friends was a time to rest, relax and rejuvenate.  Lifelong friends joined their family for these annual adventures.  These families are now spread across the United States in Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Florida, West Virginia, and Ohio. While they did not get to see these families very often over the last few years, they are an important part of their story.  There are many fond memories of the circle of lawn chairs and citronella buckets in front of Site C9 at Hatteras Sands Camping Resort.

           When Bruce and Judie were not enjoying the beaches of the Atlantic, they loved to spend time on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands region of New York.  Bruce’s parents purchased a beautiful property in Cape Vincent, NY in the early 1970s, which Bruce and Judie eventually purchased.  They spent the summer months at the cottage watching the ships passing in the Seaway and birds (and squirrels) foraging on their feeders. Their extended family also gathered 4th of July weekend each year to enjoy an annual “family weekend”.  Campers and tents covered the yard. Swimming, boating, fishing, and yard games were all activities that kept things lively at the River.  Judie also loved to take rides in the golf cart to get the mail, water the flowers, and visit with the neighbors. 

           Friends may call 9-11 AM Saturday, June 18 at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home, 12 South Ave, Webster, where her Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 AM.  Interment immediately following at Webster Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Healing H’Arts (https://healingharts.com/) and Green Angels (https://the-green-angels.com/).