Judith (Judi) G. McElrath Hobson of Ivoryton CT, 75, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday April 15th, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones.
Judi was born in Whitefield, NH. The youngest of 6 children (all of whom predeceased her), Edward McElrath, Ann McElrath Casey, Barbara McElrath Warren, William Earl McElrath, Jr and Howard McElrath, the family moved to Asheville, NC when Judi was 3. She attended Woodfin Elementary School and graduated from Clyde A Irwin High School in 1964. An enthusiastic student, she was very active in the Beta club, the future teachers of America club, the women’s basketball team, and was President of her class and voted Most Witty both in her senior year. Judi earned a BA in both Elementary Education and Physical Education from Berea College in 1968. As an overachieving wonder woman, in 1969 Judi earned her MA in Elementary school physical education from NYU while also working full time as a nanny for the 5 beautiful children of Hazie and Ernie Tracy.
Judi began her teaching career at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, staying for 2 years before relocating to Alaska. She remained in Alaska for 19 years, raising her two daughters Tracy and Christina, teaching PE at Nenana Public School and future teachers at University of Alaska Fairbanks, and coaching her jump rope team, the Jazzy Jumpers! Although she loved taking advantage of the adventures that Alaska has to offer - whitewater canoeing, rafting down the Nenana river, small airplane travel to go berry picking and picnicking on high mountains, sailing, and spending time at the family cabin on Wein Lake - the highlight of her time in AK was the many treasured friends she made there.
In June 1992, Judi and her daughters drove across the country to relocate to CT, where she returned to her career as a nanny. Working with the Politos and the Jaynes, she helped raise 6 boys who remained close to her as part of her family. It was also here that Judi met her wife, Rennette Dufour. Judi loved spending time with Rennette, Tracy and Christina, and cherished her “beautiful family full of love”.
Judi is survived by her wife, Rennette D Dufour of Ivoryton, CT, her daughter Tracy L Hobson of Westfield, MA, and her daughter Christina G Hobson of Verona, NJ. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Stephanie, Mary Francis, Becky, Roxi, Sherille, Barbara, Debi, Bill, Karen, Stephen and Jane.
Judi was known to break out in song at any given moment and loved to dance her “bus stop.” Her ultimate joy was teaching and you could often hear her asking someone to show her a “moving sentence.” She hoped there would be celebrations of life by the water everywhere! In her own words: “Singing and dancing is a must! Don’t forget to sway those hips and move those arms! Sunrises and sunsets are recommended! I will be there with you for sure!“
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following organizations in honor of Judi.
Middlesex Health Hospice https://middlesexhealth.org/donate/make-a-gift
The Center for Anti-Violence Education https://www.caeny.org/donate
Essex Ambulance Association https://essexems.org/donate
Aunt Judi may you Rest In Peace. Your love, encouragement and pride made me a better person. Family was everything to her, especially her two beautiful brilliant daughters. She lives in all our hearts forever and ever. Roxie