Judith Seeley

The stars burned a little bit dimmer on Sunday, April 17, 2016, when Judith Thompson Seeley left her earthly home in order to take her place in the heavenly choir.

Judy was born in Framingham, MA on August 26, 1941. She was the oldest of 3 children born to Luther and Myrtle (Saveroy) Thompson. As a small child, Judy and her family moved to Darien, CT. She graduated from Darien High School in 1959 and chose to continue her education at Wheelock College in Boston. She graduated in 1963 with a degree in early childhood education and began her teaching career in New Canaan, CT teaching first grade. Judy firmly believed that there was no more magical a moment than when a child realizes that he or she can read.

Judy loved her first class so much that she made sure each child was invited to her wedding in June of 1964 and although the marriage only lasted 12 years, Judy spoke of having "her kids" at her special day. Judy always believed in finding the bright side and always tried to find the silver lining. After a difficult divorce, Judy found her silver lining in children. Both hers and everyone else's!

Judy was the founder, director, and first teacher of the first Congregational Church Cooperative Nursery School until she purchased Peter Rabbit Nursery School where she provided nursery school and day care for hundreds of children in New Milford, CT.

To say that Judy's professional life was eclectic is an understatement! After selling Peter Rabbit, Judy became a Restaurant Manager with King Conn Enterprises, finishing her almost 10 year tenure as the Executive Manager of the New Milford, CT Burger King.

In 1995, Judy decided she wanted an adventure. She moved to Marksville, Louisiana and followed another lifelong dream of being a nurse. On Christmas Day, 1995, Judy packed a moving truck and headed south! She started nursing school in February of 1996, graduating as Valedictorian. Judy's nursing practice was one-on-one private duty nursing where she felt she could give individualized care.

Following her retirement, Judy and her husband, Larry, were blessed to be able to travel. Their preferred method was cruising and they cruised thousands of miles together visiting 5 of the 7 continents.

Judy loved hand work of all kinds but had a special talent for knitting and crocheting. She made hundreds of baby blankets, hats, scarves and other items for various charities and outreaches across the country. She taught each of her daughters to crochet and while none are nearly as talented as she, it wasn't for lack of a good teacher. She was just that good!

Judy taught her family to live, to love and to laugh really hard. She taught us how to stretch a pound of ground beef for a week. She taught us that nothing smells like fresh baked homemade bread. And she taught us that even though family may make us all want to scream, family is what matters.

Left to cherish Judy's memory are her husband, Larry, her sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Bob Thomas of Ontario, Canada, brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Terrie Thompson of Fairfield, CT; her 3 daughters and 2 sons-in-law, Dawn and Vincent Sauro of Lafayette, LA, Beth and Cory Hodge of Lewisville, PA and Joyce A. Cazelot of Hessmer, LA; and her son, L. James Abbott, Jr. of Michigan. Judy considered her grandchildren among her greatest blessings, Joe Hussien, Sam Hussien, Megan and Zack Moore, Lindsey and Peter Fecther, Riley Hodge, Trevor and Kacey Cazelot, Lacee-Beth Cazelot, Taylor Abbott and James Abbott.

A celebration of Judy's life will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Opelousas, Louisiana. Judy asked that only bright bold colors be worn as "black would be inappropriate for a party".

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Baptist Church, 3835 I 49 S. Service Rd, Opelousas, LA 70570 -or- Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

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