Obituary of Judith A. Warren

Judith A. Warren, 74 of Belfast passed away on March 26, 2019 at Waldo County General Hospital. Judy's life adventure began on July 31, 1944 in Belfast Maine. She was born to Julia Chalmers Bakeman and Robert E. Bakeman. Judy was an only child but created many wonderful childhood memories with friends and cousins. They could be found often at the family camp - swimming, boating, fishing, and playing Blitz and Spoons by the fireplace. Judy graduated from Crosby High School in 1962 and attended the University of Maine. She married Forrest Warren in 1965. While raising their children early on, she babysat for many and co-owned a nursery school. She went on to work as a Title I Reading Specialist and Librarian for MSAD 34 Belfast for the next 25 years. She is known by hundreds of students as Mrs. Warren, the woman whom could always help them find that just right book, and with whom they could laugh with and entrust their thoughts. While working as a librarian Judy always hoped the students would develop into life-long readers. She was perfect in this role as she was a voracious reader herself who took her daughters to the library regularly while they were growing up. Judy is well known for her exceptional thoughtfulness, remarkably selfless acts, a sense of humor, quick witty comebacks and lively banter. She especially looked out for those in their time of need. You could find her cooking many meals for people when they were sick or dealing with a challenge, running errands for them, taking people to doctor’s appointments, treatments and also teaching friends how to drive later in life. She was also the kind of person who remembered special dates in others lives that went well beyond birthdays. Judy was highly active in this tight-knit community. From her roles as Brownie troop leader, classroom volunteer and chaperone to her most recent volunteer work at the Waldo County Hospital, she got so much enjoyment out of connecting with children and adults alike. She served on the Belfast YMCA board when it first began ensuring a place for people to go and enjoy for years to come. For many years she would spend entire voting days as the voting clerk in Ward 1. Judy also enjoyed being a member of the MEA Volunteers as well as a member of GRRR - Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights. She had a significant role on the scholarship committee of the Jeff Parola Foundation, where she worked zealously to obtain scholarships for local students interested in law enforcement education. Judy loved spending time with family and many close friends. She and her husband Forrest have been part of an ice cream group they met with weekly for the past 20 years. She played hand and foot (card game) with many friends who would stop by. Judy especially loved spending time with her three grandchildren - reading to them, playing mini-golf and teaching them how to play hand and foot. Judy was also part of a special breakfast group which she enjoyed tremendously. She loved getting friends together and often hosted themed dinner gatherings, movie nights, and camp sandwiches out on the porch of her lakeside camp on Quantabacook, along with many other countless outings. Judy attended a yearly Fourth of July party where she was known as the horseshoe extraordinaire to beat. For a number of years she and her husband brought home the unique trophy as horseshoe champions which they got many laughs out of. She also loved traveling around the United States and especially enjoyed her yearly visits with her husband to Florida and Myrtle Beach. They created lasting friendships on these yearly ventures. Judy took great pride in her children and thoroughly loved her role as grandmother and Mimi. Judy is survived by her husband of 53 years Forrest Warren and daughters Tracy Warren and her significant other Thomas Bosma, Trisha Warren Vanhorn and her husband Nelson Vanhorn, and grandchildren Aiden, Alex and Sarah Vanhorn Dudera and her husband Matt. She is also survived by many cousins from here to Florida and special friends: Dan and Maureen Ladd, Barbara Hanscom, Linda and Terry St. Peter, Martha Proulx, Karen and Steve LaRochelle, and Scott and Birdie Gilpin just to name a few. Judy especially loved her time with her family and friends and inspired many others to give back, volunteer and help others due to her own commitment to her community. A special thanks go out to the Waldo County Hospital, Hospice unit, and most especially to the nurses and physical therapists who were so wonderful to Judy and her family - Mallory, Star, Krista, Iris, Maddi, Addie, Pete, Amanda, and Cheryl just to name a few. A Celebration of Life with be held in the event center room at the Hutchinson Center on Route 3 in Belfast on April 27 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Waldo County General Hospital Hospice, Oncology unit, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, or donations to the libraries at CASS and/or Troy C. Howard Schools where checks can be made out to school of choice, noting a donation to the library. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home Belfast, Me. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at ripostafh.com.