Judith Ganz

Judith “Judy” Levin Ganz, (90), passed away peacefully on Monday evening June 2nd, surrounded by her sons, at her home in Belmont, MA where she resided for over 60 years. She was a beloved member of her community, an avid philanthropist, an accomplished artist, a cherished friend, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Judy generally spoke her mind, usually got her way, and always looked her best while doing it. She was a bright welcoming beacon in every room she entered, and she never missed an opportunity to share her light.

Judy was the daughter of Abraham and Naomi (Bersh) Levin and stepdaughter to Olga (Rosen) Rizzo. She spent her childhood in Arlington, VA., and earned her degree in art history at the University of Maryland where she was chosen by Samuel Goldwyn (of Metro Goldwyn Mayer) as Miss Maryland of 1956. She met and fell in love with her late husband David Ganz, and they were married in 1956. They went on to have three sons who they raised in Belmont, MA.

Judy spent many years working with David in their family business, Ganz Tire (aka Galaxy Tire). Their company sold agricultural tires worldwide which gave them the opportunity to travel together and make many great friends and lasting memories in venues spanning the globe including Russia, Australia, China, South America, and throughout Europe.

Judy and David were married for 59 wonderful years. After his death in 2015, she met her partner, Lawrence (Larry) Gray in 2018. For a second time in her life, she fell in love and they were fortunate to be able to share their lives and families until his death in 2023.

Judy was very active in the Jewish Community. She served on the Board of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, The Israel Bond Organization and The American Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Her true passion was the Boston Jewish Film Festival where she served on the Board for 30 years, and as its President for seven years. She also served on The Cardiovascular Advisory Board of The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where she has a room named in memory of both David Ganz and Lawrence Gray.

Judy leaves behind her 3 sons, Bryan Ganz and his wife Li (Zhang) and her deceased daughter-in-law Susan (Mazzola), Neil Ganz and his wife Frances (Francis), and Dr. Eric Ganz his husband Neil Jacobs. She also leaves behind her 6 grandchildren Sarah Fessler (Steve), Kathryn Moriarty (John Jr), Dr. Madeline Ganz (Dr. J.C. Asaker), Captain Alexander Ganz (U.S. Army Ret.) Samantha Ganz and Jason Ganz. She was blessed to have eight great grandchildren, Henry, Georgina, Margot and Eleanor Fessler, Jack, Cameron and Adeline Moriarty, and Sebastien Asaker. She adored her children, grandchildren and especially her 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Dr. Gordon Levin (Judy), Joni Levin-Clarke (Keith), and Ronald Rizzo (Linda), her blended family, Keith and Diane Gray, Evan and Lauren Gray, Julianna and Matthew Lessor, Jeff and Nicole Holden and nine Gray grandchildren, and her aide Lucy Klimek, to whom she is eternally grateful for her compassion and friendship in her final years.

Services will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon MA (781) 828-7216 at 1:45pm on Friday June 6th. Please line up in your cars by 1:30pm behind the administration building. Shiva will be held at her late residence, 77 Wellesley Rd., Belmont MA from 6:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday the 6th. The family will also be receiving visitors on Saturday June 7th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at 77 Wellesley Rd. Belmont MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, C/O Leah Oko, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston MA, 02215 OR Boston Jewish Film, 333 Nahanton Street, Suite 322, Newton MA 02459.