Judith Ros Pierce

Judith (Judy, JuJu) Ros Pierce (86), passed away on October 22, 2026, at home in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was born in New York City on March 13, 1940, the daughter of the late Gloria Ros Henriques and Jeffrey Henriques. She was preceded in death by her eldest brother , Jeffrey (Jeff) Henriques.

Survivors include her husband, Charles (Chas) Pierce; her twin sister Gloria (Glo) Patterson of Aloha, Oregon; her brother and sister-in-law Pete and Marlene Henriques of Gainesville, Virginia; her sister-in-law Kate Henriques of New Milford, Connecticut; and her stepson Dave Pierce and his wife Shelle, and their son Cole, of Heathrow, Florida.

Judy grew up in Pelham, New York, graduating first in her class at Pelham Memorial High School in 1958. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 1962. The most important part of her working career involved being an administrative assistant to the President of Fieldcrest Mills (Eden, NC), because when the president retired in 1983 Judy moved to Fairfax, VA. It was there that she met Chas and started the most wonderful phase of her life, marrying him in May of 1984. While in Fairfax, Judy spent 12 years working at George Mason University. She totally enjoyed working in a university environment and interacting with the students. Commenting on Judy's retirement in 1995, her supervisor said "she will be irreplaceable."

Judy and Chas moved to Wilmington, NC, in 1997, where they immediately felt at home and made so many good friends. During retirement she was fortunate to have time for the things she loved the most: visiting beloved family, traveling around the world (and in the process turning fellow travelers into very dear friends), tending to her flowers, knitting blankets for many family members and babies, and remembering every special occasion celebrated by her extended family. Judy enjoyed activities at the University of North Carolina Wilmington through the OLLI (adult learning) group. She and Chas were season ticketholders for the UNCW basketball team for over twenty years, and no one cheered louder for the Seahawks than Judy. Though she was not a retired federal employee as Chas was, she was a very active member of NARFE (the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees) for over twenty years. Holding a number of positions in the chapter, her main focus was to raise money for a scholarship for a health care student at the local Cape Fear Community College. During her tenure she helped add over $20,000 to the NARFE scholarship endowment fund. She also enjoyed other volunteer activities which included delivering Meals on Wheels (for over 20 years), serving as a volunteer Wish Granter with the Make A Wish Foundation, and tutoring in the public school system.

A passion for gnomes (yes, gnomes) came to Judy later in life. She liked to say she didn't have an obsession; she had a collection. And she always so appreciated her family members and friends who aided and abetted her 'collection'. After Chas put together a set of shelves for the collection, she always had fun whenever she could add another member to the "Pierce Home for Gnomes".

A quote from Tuesdays with Morrie (slightly revised) was one of Judy's favorites:

    "As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love     we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love we     created is still there. All the memories are still there. We live on - in     the hearts of everyone we have touched and loved and nurtured     while we were."

Contributions in Judy's memory may be made to Canines for Service, (221-1 Old Dairy Road, Wilmington, NC 28405), Make a Wish Foundation (2880 Slater Road, Suite 105, Morrisville, NC 27560), or to your favorite charity.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coblegreenlawn.com