Judith Rogers

Judy (her folks were awed by Judy Garland) Gill (her given middle name, mother’s maiden name), Cocci (her maiden name, Italian side of the family), Vachon (first husband’s name), Cortland (chosen name post-divorce), Rogers (her second husband and best friend). She was known to her family as Bubsy.

David, her husband of twenty plus years, is a creator (garden designer,) owner of Art in Green, Landscaper extraordinary, healer (Myotherapist) etc. Judy and David together have opened their celebrated gardens to many non-profit groups as a fund raiser for each organization. Their work has been celebrated in numerous garden books, TV shows and magazines.

Mother of three exceptional adults; G. Craig Vachon and his wife Rhonda have lived life large all over the world, G. Brent Vachon of Brewster, MA is the co-creator of Art in Green and an extraordinary man. Heidi Rogers is our east coast/west coast Hiker, Climber, Camper, Kayaker, Dog Lover EMT, a true delight, and is married to Luke a fabulous person all on his own.

Judy was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 1999.

She was fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by a warm Italian family (father’s side). It was like growing up with eight mothers, eight fathers and twenty brothers and sisters. Sundays were homemade pasta drying on the backs of chairs, giant pots of simmering tomatoes and spices, and lots of hugs and laughter.

Her mother was adopted with little information of her ancestry. Years of searching were successful as she discovered that she was of Russian decent, possibly Jewish. She found and reunited with a sister and a step mother.

Judy was a Tom boy. “Eagle” Girl Scout. Jock. Physical Education teacher at Oakmont Junior/Senior High School, Coach, Director of Leominster YMCA (nine years), introduced baby swim there and is featured in Your Baby Can Swim book by Bonnie Prudden, senior exercise to nursing homes, Aqua Exercise, and all sorts of exercise in all sorts of places.

Founder and Administrator of Bonnie Prudden School of Physical Fitness and Myotherapy in Stockbridge, MA; Judy released on the world many skilled myofascial and exercise therapists who are skilled in the relief of pain.

She received a plaque upon her retirement. It reads:

We salute with gratitude and affection Judy Vachon (Rogers) tender of the Bonnie Prudden School from its first infancy and during its babyhood, battler of the state licensing committee, provider for the accrediting committee, confidant of the troubled,. God Mother of dreams, Force feeder of the lazy, recipient of tears shed by those suffering unrequited love, matcher of lonely hearts, solver of Albert’s problems, (our cadaver) finder of mislaid causes, discoverer of hidden talents and a hundred other things that happen because Judy is Judy.

Judy was a gardener and a garden accent designer. She created Dancing Garden Mirrors which sell all over the world. Sculptor. Glue gun creator extraordinaire.

Writer of fact, fiction, insight.

Her character is revealed by her values. She “safe housed” battered woman for years. She never allowed her children to own or play with guns. She believed we have full control over our fearful thoughts and she lived accordingly. Judy was bold and made her life decisions by asking herself “What is the worst thing that could happen?”

She wants you to…remember, the only thing we can give each other is memories.

Her life will be celebrated on June 8th, 2013 at the First Parish of Brewster, on the corner of Main St. and Breakwater Rd, at 11 AM.

Judy’s wishes are that donations be made to the Michel J. Fox Foundation or to the Brewster Meeting House Preservation Project, 1 Harwich Rd Brewster, MA 02631 (508-896-5577). Judy also really loved flowers and would love for you to bring flowers to the service on the 8th, if that is your heart’s wish instead.