Eternal Optimist Laughed With the World

Judy Maragliano-Leonardi, 56, passed away on Sunday, October 9 2011.

Formerly of Tenafly, Judy lived in River Edge, survived by her husband Steve. Her sister, Margaret, brother-in-law Dirk, and nephew Karl, all live in Bergen County. Her niece Kristen lives in Hawaii. We all, and many of you, struggled along with her, in her fight to overcome this challenge that entered her life. An eternal optimist, she never really gave up but it was just too much. She passed quietly while at Englewood Hospital.

When Judy laughed the world laughed with her. Her zeal and love of life was contagious to those around her and everything she did was given her full energy and attention. Her smile is still present. Her leaving us, still young, has created a deep chasm. 

Judy’s love of skiing brought her to the Ramapo Mountain Ski Club, where she spent years enjoying trips to Vermont and out west with good friends. When she could spend a day skiing with her friends and family she already thought she was in heaven. A day in the summer, on a boat out in Barnegat Bay, clamming with the family, would round out a great, fun, year for Judy if she was able to throw in a vacation to a National Park.

Ever proud of her heritage, and what her hard working family accomplished in Tenafly (3rd generation resident), Judy was always an ambassador for NJ wherever she went. With her husband Steve, Judy hosted receptions for the official tall ship of NJ, The A.J. Meerwald and the Bayshore Discovery Project. Their mission, of environmental stewardship strongly aligned with Judy’s approach to life and she constantly was focused on conserving our resources and educating others about being good stewards of the world we live in. She believed, that as individuals, we can indeed make a difference and lived as an example of that. 

If you would like to honor Judy’s life, memorial contributions may be sent to the Bayshore Discovery Project, 2800 High Street (Bivalve), Port Norris, NJ 08349.