Judi Smaldino, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on January 2, 1947, in Santa Monica, California, she was the cherished daughter of the late Albert O. and Laura Christiansen Pesola. On June 19, 1965, Judi married her soulmate, Mike Smaldino, in Los Angeles, California. The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, a milestone reflecting their enduring partnership and devotion to each other.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Smaldino; her brother, Stephen Pesola; her daughter, Jodie Strait and her husband Steve; her son, Michael Smaldino, and his wife, Sunny; and her three beloved grandchildren, Sean Strait, Isabella Smaldino, and Michael C. Smaldino. Judi was preceded in death by her sister, Sonja Woods. Her four Border Terriers, Ozzy, Scarlet, Junior, and Bandit, were her constant companions, bringing constant joy and liveliness to her life.
Judi and Mike raised their kids in Redding, California, then moved to Colorado in 2003. In 2019, they moved to Little River, South Carolina, where she embraced the coastal community’s warmth and built a life filled with love and connection. Judi’s legacy lives on through her family, her love for animals, and she will be remembered for her kind and vibrant spirit.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Lee Funeral Home and Crematory, 11840 Highway 90, Little River, SC.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society (1508 Dogwood Dr, Little River, SC 29566, or online at www.nmbhumanesociety.org), in memory of Judi Smaldino, to honor her deep affection for her pets and all animals.
Please share memories at www.leefhandcrematory.com
