Judy Janet Modeste

Judy Janet Modeste was born on April 26th,1941, the third of seven children born to Mary Hetty Leon and Victor Juan Leon on the beautiful twin island of Trinidad & Tobago. As a child, Judy was a free spirit who found joy in nature.To her mother’s dismay, Judy was often found climbing trees or skipping rocks on ponds, decidedly unladylike behavior. When not in nature, she was playing with her friends, cracking jokes and being carefree.

Though congenial, Judy also had a fiery spirit and was fiercely protective of her siblings. She challenged anyone who unjustly bothered her family and if the need arose, she wasn’t afraid to fight. As she matured into a beautiful young woman and completed her studies, she found work in an office, but had bigger ambitions.

Judy followed her mother to the US in 1965 to pursue new career opportunities. Nothing prepared her for the shock of experiencing racism in this country. Despite her education and work experience, she began working as a domestic worker in Brooklyn, NY enduring the humiliation of being called racial epithets by the family’s children. It was then that she resolved that none of her children would ever have to experience this humiliation in their lives.

She eventually landed a job as a dental assistant and hygienist with a dentist who sponsored her application for citizenship, and life was on an upward trajectory. On a trip back home to Trinidad, she rekindled a friendship with George Modeste, which began a long distance relationship between the two. Judy and George were married in San Fernando, Trinidad on January 26th, 1968. Their marriage produced two daughters, Arlene and Alicia, who passed at the tender age of 3 months.

George and Judy moved to Long Island, NY in 1975 to provide greater educational opportunities for Arlene and Judy began working at the Ridge Rest Home, a residential home for the elderly and those with special needs. It was here that a spark was ignited in her for healthcare. Judy enrolled in the nursing program at Suffolk County Community College and obtained her Registered Professional Nursing (RN) degree. Judy then began working at several hospitals finally specializing as a geriatric psych nurse working at Central Islip Psychiatric Center, Pilgrim State Hospital, and Kings Park Psychiatric Center, successively. Besides loving her family, nothing gave Judy more joy than caring for her elderly patients. They could feel her authenticity and caring spirit, and more often than not, they responded to her in ways they would not for others.

Forever kind and caring, Judy never lost her fiery spirit. She hated injustice and was sensitive to mistreatment. She never hesitated to speak up for herself, her family, or her friends. But as fiery as she was, she was also playful and fun. Her nieces and nephews often visited her home in Long Island where she fed them and played “witch” chasing them all around to their delight.

In the late 1980’s Judy retired due to a chronic injury, took up crafting, and embarked on a few well earned vacations. In 2005, George and Judy moved to Maryland to be close to Arlene, her husband, Nigel, and grandsons Devin and Sean. Judy and her daughter were extremely close, talking multiple times each day and spending time together. She also deeply loved her grandsons and indulged them as much as she could. Her small extended family meant everything to her.

In 2010, small inklings of something being not quite right began, and overtime, the family learned that Judy had dementia. For as long as possible, she participated in family life, but after a fall, she moved to a nursing home where she further declined. Nevertheless, her devoted daughter and husband took good care of her advocating for her healthcare and loving her through it all.

Judy was predeceased by her husband, George Augustus Modeste; daughter, Alicia Germaine Modeste; her brother, Hansel Leon; and her sister, Earline Leon.

Judy leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Arlene Modeste Knowles; son-in-law, Nigel Knowles; grandsons, Devin & Sean Knowles; sisters, Betty Leon, Valerie West, Emerald Williams, and Angela Dickerson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who all loved her dearly.