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Saturday, January 6, 2018

Obituary for Judith Ann "Judy" Beaumont

Judy Beaumont sharing Communion with Children of Ft. Myers

Judith Ann (Judy) Beaumont, RCWP, lifelong fighter for peace and justice, succumbed to AML leukemia, after a valiant fight of almost two years, on January 1, 2018, at her home in Fort Myers, Florida, cared for by her partner in life and ministry, Judy Lee, and her sister, Jill Bergner, and her favorite cat, Timmy.

Life was precious to her and she was dedicated entirely to service of the poor and God’s “little ones.” She was a Sister of St. Benedict at St. Scholastica in Chicago for 34 years. She was a teacher of math and religion and assisted in the resettlement of Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees. She earned her MRE Degree from Loyola University in Chicago. She moved to Hartford, Ct., in 1981to participate in work for peace and justice, including the Plowshares Action, Trident Nein. Her prison time in Connecticut for this act of conscience included successful prison reform for women. She then worked at My Sister’s Place, in Hartford, CT, a shelter for women and children. In a few short years, she rose in the ranks of servant leadership and became CEO of MSP. She led in the development of four programs and construction of two new buildings for homeless women and families and mentally ill men and women.

In 1998 she moved to Fort Myers, Florida, with her partner, Judy Lee. There she worked with various churches in the diocese of Venice, in administrative roles and as Director of Religious Education. Four different cancers slowed her down a little, but she was able to develop Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida, and Church in the Park, serving homeless and low income people in need of impassionate and skilled support.

In 2012, she was ordained a Roman Catholic Woman Priest and became pastor of Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers. www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

In 2015, she was named a candidate for person of the year by The News-Press, for service to the community, calling her a “force for good.” She was an amazing dynamo for justice and love for all 80 of her years.

Judy was the beloved partner of Judy Lee, loving sister of Ed (Joanie) Beaumont and Jill (Bill) Bergner, shining example of goodness for many nieces and nephews, her “foster son”, Marlee Maxwell, godchildren, Felice Rismay, Keeondra Terrell, and others, friends and members of the Good Shepherd Community.

Her indomitable spirit continues to guide us in service to others. She has given her body to the University of Miami Medical School.

A memorial service will be held in February of 2018, details to be announced.

Memorial donations may be given to Rev. Joe Irvin of Bootstraps Ministry for the Homeless in North Fort Myers and/or the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.




2 comments:

  1. Such and inspiring and loving woman, who will continue to inspire many persons for generations to come. Surely, Judy B. rests in peace. With love, Olivia Doko - RCWP USA

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such and inspiring and loving woman, who will continue to inspire many persons for generations to come. Surely, Judy B. rests in peace. With love, Olivia Doko - RCWP USA

    ReplyDelete

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