SOUTH PORTLAND- Judith Ward Lessard was born on November 27, 1938, in Portland, Maine.

Judy was educated in Auburn schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1956. Two notable things happened while attending Edward Little: Judy met her first love, Ralph Noel, and she earned the superlative “Most Talkative.” The latter was no minor distinction for a woman born into the Silent Generation.

From an early age, she handled the English language with skill, precision, and a gravely wit that was borderline supernatural. With the delivery of just a few potent words, she could inspire a profound insight, stun with a surprising declaration, or spark explosive laughter. One did not easily forget an interaction with Judy. Yet she would not have claimed mastery. Indeed, she was both a teacher and a lifelong student of words.

Judy attended the University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Nutrition and English. There she met her second love, Joseph Lessard. Judy and Joe were married on August 27, 1960, and began a life centered around outdoor adventures, socializing, education, and, eventually, a large and active family.

Judy’s career began at the University just after graduation, where she worked as a dietitian. She was soon offered a teaching position at North New Portland High School, where Joe was teaching History and French across the hall. She was 22 years old. From day one in the classroom, she knew that teaching was her professional calling. It remained her unwavering passion throughout the remainder of her long career.

Judy went on to teach in public schools in Bucksport and Portland. She later enjoyed teaching English and college writing at Husson University, Casco Bay College, and St. Joseph’s College. Returning to the classroom as an adult student and mother, she earned her master’s degree in education at the University of Southern Maine. Her love of the written—and spoken—language was ever-expanding. While at Husson, she created an annual publication called “Balance,” which celebrated student essays and poetry. She designed, and for many years taught, a popular Maine Authors course. She also taught public speaking to college students, believing that it is valuable to speak as well as one writes.

Judy and Joe raised four daughters in Cape Elizabeth. There they cultivated gardens that yielded everything from berries to root vegetables, pole beans to perennial flower beds. Her green thumbs were earned through many trials and errors. Gardens, she understood, are also classrooms, each year delivering their crop of hard lessons and unexpected sweetness.

She was in her fifties, post-divorce, when she and Ralph Noel, her first love, reconnected. They married on January 27, 2008. Throughout their relationship’s second blossom, they shared many happy days: traveling, reading, spending time in Nature, and green-thumbing their way through life’s seasonal gardens. They were widely known for their love of challenging crossword puzzles.

Judy’s other interests, achievements and traits deserve more than honorable mentions. For more than 30 years, she, her four daughters, and later her four granddaughters made the annual summer pilgrimage to Monhegan Island—the one place where words failed to express her sense of awe. Judy was a formidable tournament bridge player, an engaging (often hilarious) storyteller, a devoted Red Sox fan, a 50-year dodger of modern medicine, a piano player, and a voracious reader of all genres. To her, a public library was a community treasure trove; she withdrew and returned countless jewels.

Judy began recognizing and discussing a repeating-number phenomenon occurring in her life. Not prone to mysticism, she matter-of-factly pointed out that several important life events had happened on the 27th. She was born on the 27th, married and divorced Joe on the 27th, gave birth for the first time—not only on the 27th, but on her own birthday—and married Ralph on the 27th. As she aged, the date accumulated significance.

“Every month, when I get to the 28th,” she’d joke, “I figure I’ve got at least another 30 days.”

Judy was 80 when COVID shook the world like a snow globe. She continued teaching, following protocols, adapting to virtual classrooms, and embracing the integration of new technologies. Driven by more than determination, she truly enjoyed guiding her students. Before retiring from teaching at age 84, Judy observed the dawn of AI with a keen awareness of its impact on reading and writing. Not surprisingly, she advocated for the preservation of pure human expression.

During a brief, acute illness, Judy was lovingly cared for by her daughters.

And in the wee hours of July 27th, with her old gardens in full bloom, Judith Ward Lessard returned to the silence.

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Judy was predeceased by her brother, Thomas M. Ward; her loving husband, Ralph E. Noel Jr.; her son-in-law, Benjamin Pasquale, and her former husband, Joe Lessard.

She is survived by her four daughters, Leslie Lampert (Carl), Susan Lessard, Mary Ellen Lessard, and Rachel Pasquale; her six grandchildren, Benjamin Lampert (Alyssa), Samuel Lampert, Kayla Collins (Chase), Elizabeth Raftice (Brandon), Emma Rose Betters (Grady) and Isabella Pasquale; three great-grandchildren; her brother, Stephen Ward, and a niece, Katie Ward. She also leaves behind lifelong friends and dear neighbors, and students whose lives were shaped by her teaching.

A private celebration of life will take place in September.