Judy M. Wohl died peacefully and on her own terms in her home in Maine on December 4, 2025. She was surrounded by love & light, her partner Jane, sister Hope, other friends and family, and her rabbi. During her last hours, Judy took great solace from their reciting and singing of Hebrew prayers and psalms, and from their hugs, support and love. Judy and Jane had a profound love and caring for each other. They were each other’s best friends, shared fabulous travels and wonderful times in their bucolic home in Maine and supported each other tenaciously through thick and thin. It was not always smooth sailing, in part because Judy spoke “Jewish” and Jane spoke “Irish”. However, their deep and abiding love for each other always prevailed.
Judy had an intensely strong sense of humor. She loved to laugh and make others laugh. Friends and family often describe her as an important force in their lives, someone who taught them to challenge their thoughts and beliefs, to have a strong sense of self and to stand up for their beliefs. She was forceful and opinionated, sometimes to a fault, loving and caring, and a staunch Democrat who lived her beliefs. She worked tirelessly for many Democratic candidates throughout her life, and it saddened her that she did not live to see a female President. She cherished her Maine coon cats, including Tupelo, Queen Esther Wohl, and Golda Meir Moriarty. Her partner Jane credits her with helping slow her down to be present in nature. Judy lived life fully and with great zeal.
Judy’s deep love of New England and nature started at an early age during summer camp on Lake Winnipesaukee and winter ski trips to Quebec. When she met Jane in1987 in Philadelphia, and discovered that Jane was from the Boston area, their frequent travels to New England began. Judy subsequently shared her love of nature with Jane and dear friends in their Maine community, after moving there in 1996. Judy and Jane also loved their time on Monhegan Island, Diamond Cove, and Scottsdale, Arizona. They also travelled extensively across the U.S. and around the world. Music was another lifelong passion, which started growing up in a house with much music, and blossoming in high school as she began playing the guitar and singing.
During her early college years, after being expelled from Beloit College (what a shanda!) for protesting the Vietnam War, Judy picked up her guitar and ventured to Israel to explore her Jewish roots, living in a kibbutz and meeting family. Her subsequent treks across Europe included a formative trip to a feminist womens’ camp in Denmark. When she returned home, she resumed her studies.
Judy earned her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, two Masters Degrees from Bryn Mawr College in Social Services and Law, and a J.D. from Temple University. She was a lifelong learner with a deep interest and curiosity about life.
After her years as a social worker, she spent many years as a successful attorney. Her colleagues and clients had deep respect for her keen intellect and determination, and for how she fiercely advocated for what she believed was true and right. Her success spanned clerking, working for a law firm and running her own law practice. Her career was abruptly ended by serious health issues.
At that point, Judy turned her energy to pickleball, tennis, boating, fishing, travel, cooking, reading, word games, and spending more time in nature. She started every day doing the New York Times word games and on social media letting everyone know her opinions about the day’s news.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 26, 1952, she was the middle of three children. Judy survived many health challenges during her lifetime. She is survived by her partner of 38-years, Jane Moriarty, her older brother Richard, her younger sister Hope, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her Aunt Joan Wohl. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Marcia and Joe Wohl and several uncles and aunts.
A funeral service is being held at on Monday, December 8 at 12:00 pm @ Temple Beth El, 400 Deering Avenue, Portland Maine with a luncheon to follow in the same location. A second funeral service followed by a graveside service and burial is being held at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, December 10 at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 321 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA. Shiva will follow at her sister Hope’s house in Bala Cynwyd. Shiva will also be held at Judy and Jane’s house in Cumberland Center on Thursday, December 11 starting at 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Southern Maine https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/donate or Death with Dignity https://www.mainedeathwithdignity.org/donate-ab/