Jude Anne Abrams

Jude was born on April 1, 1955 in Staten Island, New York, to Wilbur and Josephine (Volpe) Abrams.

Jude’s family moved to Shrub Oak, New York, shortly after Jude’s birth where she lived until she moved to Ft. Lauderdale in her junior year of high school in 1971. Jude truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures and by spending time with family and friends. She had a special ability to reach and touch people in a deep and positive way. Her compassion was also apparent in her love for animals which were always a valuable part of Jude’s life. She adored her dogs and always referred to them as her “babies.”

Jude was an outstanding athlete. When she moved to Ft. Lauderdale from New York, she enrolled in Cardinal Gibbons High School where she lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was Captain of the softball team her senior year and received All-League and Most Valuable Player. She received many offers to play in college and did accept a basketball scholarship. She began her coaching career as the assistant coach for Girls’ Varsity Volleyball, Basketball and Softball while attending college. In 1976, Cardinal Gibbons added three Junior Varsity programs: Volleyball, Basketball and Softball and Jude was the first JV coach for all three sports. Her JV volleyball team held the record for consecutive wins and she is wholly responsible for setting the groundwork for what is considered one of the most outstanding Jr. Varsity programs in the state.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Jude also taught physical education at St. Coleman Parochial school from 1977-1979. She coached volleyball, basketball and softball at the junior high level and many of her players moved on to play on State Championship volleyball teams at Cardinal Gibbons.

Jude began teaching at Cardinal Gibbons in 1979 where she had already established herself as an outstanding coach and in 1995 was recognized by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association with a lifetime achievement award for Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year. Jude was the first coach in south Florida to receive this award. In 2005, she was also inducted into the Cardinal Gibbons Athletic Hall of Fame. This was a well-deserved honor for over 30 years of selfless dedication to Cardinal Gibbons athletics.

Jude’s family, close friends, former students and players will always remember her for her tireless efforts which helped to achieve a first-class reputation in the field of volleyball and in the local community.

Jude is the “Unsung Hero” of the girls’ sports programs at Cardinal Gibbons H.S. and the family has established a “Jude Abrams Unsung Hero Scholarship” in her memory.

Jude is survived by her sister, Grace (Dave) Mihalchik; her devoted loving companions, Louise Crocco and Paula Ferrante; her niece Corina (Christopher) Renak; and nephew David (Tiffany) Mihalchik; great nieces Ella Grace, Emma and Kate; great nephew, Evan Jude; and many dear friends.

Arrangements: Funeral Mass at St. Coleman Church,

1200 S. Federal Hwy, Pompano Bch. Monday, June 29th at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to make donations to the “Jude Abrams Unsung Hero” Scholarship at:

https://www.cghsfl.org/giving/make-your-gift

or by mail to:

Cardinal Gibbons High School

c/o Jude Abrams Scholarship

2900 NE 47th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308

with Louise Crocco and Paula Ferrante