Judith Ann “Judy” Cole
August 28, 1948 – August 26, 2026
Judith Ann “Judy” Cole, beloved mother, grandmother, lifelong learner, devoted animal lover, and cherished friend, passed away on August 26, 2026, just two days before her 78th birthday. She was 77 years old.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 1948, Judy eventually made her way to Florida in the 1970s, where she would make her home and build a life filled with family, friendships, learning, and countless experiences. In 2003, she moved from Tampa to St. Petersburg, Florida, a place she truly came to love. She embraced the unique culture and character of St. Petersburg and enjoyed exploring everything the city had to offer, from trying new restaurants and visiting local markets to wandering through art museums, discovering new cafes, and enjoying the many experiences that made the city special to her.
Judy was an exceptionally intelligent woman with a quick wit and a wonderfully unique sense of humor. She could make people laugh with a perfectly timed comment or a joke that was sometimes so clever that you had to think about it before you got it. And if you didn’t get the joke, she probably found that pretty funny too. Her intelligence was matched by an insatiable curiosity. She was a lifelong learner who genuinely loved being a student and discovering something new.
One of Judy’s greatest accomplishments was earning her master’s degree in Library Science and becoming a librarian, a career she loved deeply. Her love of books and learning was a defining part of who she was. She loved to read, to learn, and to share in the discovery of new ideas.
Judy also had a tremendous love for animals, especially the cats and dogs who shared her life over the years. She cared for them deeply and considered them part of her family. She was also famously particular about her coffee, or “cawfee” as she liked to say, as a nod to her Philadelphia roots, believing that there was, in fact, a right way to prepare it.
But perhaps the greatest measure of Judy’s life was the effect she had on the people she encountered. Anyone who knew her will tell you that her presence made an impact. She had a way of leaving people better than she found them, and she was deeply loved by so many. She was truly special, and her absence will be felt by everyone fortunate enough to have known her.
Judy is survived by her three beloved daughters, Francesca Michelini, Lauren Devereaux, and Milani Johnson, and her grandchildren, Nicholas and Valentina, children of Francesca; and Max, Hailey, Lincoln, and Paisley Jane “PJ”, children of Lauren. She is also survived by her sons-in-law, Matt Devereaux and Michael Johnson, who loved her dearly.
A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Blush Tea & Coffee, 2382 Dr. MLK Jr St., St. Petersburg, FL 33704.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Judy’s honor and memory to Nameless Ministries, a nonprofit organization founded by her daughter Francesca and operated by Francesca and Milani. Judy’s family invites those who wish to honor her memory to support the organization’s mission of helping people in need. Donation opportunities are available through NamelessMinistry.org.
Judy lived a life of curiosity, intelligence, humor, love, and connection. She leaves behind a family who adored her, friends whose lives were made brighter by knowing her, and a legacy that will continue through the people she loved and the lives she touched.
She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
