Obituary of Judith Ann Wardell

WARDELL , JUDY ANN KINTER Age 76 of Big Flats, NY died on Wednesday October 28, 2015. She was born on January 17, 1939 in State College, PA, The daughter of the late Earl Byrne and Dorris Ryan Kinter. Judy was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and attended George Washington University in Washington D. C. where she met her husband at the Newman Center. She was an Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Alumni Association for Trinity Washington University in Washington, D. C. She married her loving husband Richard N. Wardell on June 4, 1960, He pre-deceased her on February 22, 2015. Judy loved traveling with her husband and friends . In 1964 her interest in Hospice came when her aunt asked her to help care for her paternal grandfather. Later, she helped her father and maternal grandmother on their Final Journies. These experiences led to her volunteer work for Hospice. For almost 30 years Judy volunteered as a Hospice Volunteer. She was one of the founding members of the Partners in Caring at the Arnot Medical Center which was a predecessor to Southern Tier Hospice for patients who were seriously ill and dying. She cared for patients and the families helping reunite many families. Judy helped establish Meals on Wheels in Corning where she volunteered for 28-30 years and took delight in helping people, providing food, clothing and nurturing their souls. She and Dick had a deep appreciation for Tanglewood Nature Center. Nature and Birding were significant in her life. As a result she made trips across country, to Costa Rica, Central America, England, Scotland , and King Ranch in Texas. She was also a great supporter of the Southern Tier Food Bank. She was a wonderful gourmet cook and baker. Judy loved collecting antiques, and was an excellent refurnisher of furniture. She had a green thumb in the garden. She had a love of music which included Jazz, Opera, and Classical Music. Judy was also pre-deceased by her brother Rev. Father John P. Kinter on April 9, 2015, and her brother Dan, her God-parents Virginia Kinter Lauver and Robert F. Kinter and grandmother Granny Ryan. Judith is survived by her sister and brother-in-law: Martha and Clyde Ward of Washington, D.C.; sister-in-law: Dorren (Mrs. Robert) Wardell of Chicago, IL; other god-daughter Becky Pappano and daughter Lily, niece Chris Pappano Echevarria, nephew Steve (Kathy) Wardell; and nephews and many caring friends. A special Thank you to her caregivers: Madelyn, Michelle, Mesina, Carla and caregiver /housekeeper Sue. Judy and her caregivers became a "Band of Sisters" during Judy's illness. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Mass on Saturday November 14, 2015 at 11 AM at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Elmira, NY. Inurnment will be in at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In Lieu of Flowers those wishing may remember Judy through Corning Meals on Wheels 144 Cedar Street Corning, NY 14830. Arrangements are entrusted to the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS , NY .