Obituary: Judith A. Leardini

Judith A. Leardini, born Sept. 10, 1947, to Martin and Loretta (Mack) Slish, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024, following a brief illness.

Judy grew up in the LaSalle area of Niagara Falls and cherished her times with her parents, relatives and neighbors on 71st Street. She attended Madonna High School where she built so many lifelong friendships. She also had only fond memories of her time at St. Bonaventure University, and was excited to see her grandson soon attend there as well.

She married the love of her life, William, on Aug. 16, 1969. Their 55 years of marriage were a time of bliss as they raised their three boys: Christopher (Leslie), Andrew (Kristen) and Matthew (Carrie) in their small community of Youngstown. Together, Bill and Judy showered their boys with love, never missing a chance to support them and teach each of them every day. Judy was a confidante to each of her sons and their wives, helping them navigate parenthood and their busy lives.

Judy taught kindergarten at Lewiston-Porter for 37 years, where she ignited imaginations and created memories for so many children. She was beloved by her students and their parents alike – she had an unbelievably positive impact on thousands of people in her community. Many of her former students or their parents proudly shared their careers and accomplishments with her when seeing her. Following her retirement in 2007, she began “Storytime with Miss Judy” at the Lewiston Public Library. Simply, she loved and cared for young children, took so much joy in seeing them experience new things for the first time, and had a warm and magical quality about her that endeared her to each of them.

With the arrivals of Drew, Joseph, Nicholas, Luke, Emma, Wyatt, Julia, Olivia, Rocco and Elle after her retirement from teaching, “Grandma Judy” enjoyed her happiest times. For the love and care she shared with so many, her family was always her priority. How she managed to be at every game or event, always available for a call to chat or catch up, running to appointments, and always being there for friends, relatives or anyone in need in the community, we’ll never know. Right until the end, she made sure everyone else was taken care of first.

Judy was predeceased by her parents; her beloved in-laws, Cesarino and Lucia; brother-in-law Barry; and sister-in-law Franca. In addition to her husband and children, Judy is survived by her sister-in-law, Myriam (Tom) Witkowski; brother-in-law Dennis (Linda) Tosetto; and her nieces and nephews: David (Christine) Tosetto, Jennifer (Robert) Woods, Cynthia Sanchez and Jacqueline (Jon) DiBernardo, all of whom she loved and looked after as her own.

She was a dedicated parishioner at St. Bernard’s and St. Peter’s Church, volunteered with or donated to many charitable organizations in her community, and belonged to several other groups (Book Club, Madonna Prayer Group, Lew-Port Teacher Retirees, etc.).

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, where funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, followed by Judy’s Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s R.C. Church, 620 Center St., Lewiston. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to the Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St., Lewiston, NY 14092, in support of children’s programming. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.