Judith Gibbs Farr

1946 - 2024

Judith Gibbs Farr

Laconia, NH - Judith Gibbs Farr, 78, of Laconia, died peacefully in her sleep on December 13, 2024, following a long battle with the insidious disease, vascular dementia.

Judy was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on September 12, 1946, the daughter of Ivan George Gibbs and Faye (Ingram) Gibbs. She grew up in Plymouth and was close to her mother and three sisters: Susan, Mary, and Celia. From a young age Judy supported the family, working local jobs. Judy and Mary, close in age, participated together in high school sports, including basketball and ski racing at Tenney Mountain. The two sisters were also active in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Judy and her family enjoyed summer weekends at Wellington State Park and lived one summer on Wolf Island in Newfound Lake when the family lost their home to a fire; Judy's grandparents Gibbs and her father were employed at the time by Camp Mowglis who owned Wolf Island. The family spent most winter weekends skiing at Waterville Valley. Judy graduated from Plymouth High School in 1964.

Judy started her long, successful career in education as a 1968 graduate of Plymouth State College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. She completed her Master of Education degree in physical education in 1982, also from Plymouth State, and returned there in the mid-1990s to complete their CAGS program for principals.

Judy dedicated her entire professional career to the Winnisquam Regional School District. Starting in 1968 at the then Tilton Northfield High School as a physical education and health education teacher, Judy notably became the first female athletic director in the state of New Hampshire. She continued on as principal from 1996 until her retirement in 2007. Judy's exceptional administrative and leadership skills distinguished her to being named runner-up as New Hampshire Principal of the Year in 2003. During this time, she was actively involved with the NH Association of School Principals, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association.

During her tenure as teacher and athletic director, Judy coached for over 18 years in the sports of field hockey, girls' basketball, softball, and girls' and boys' track and field. As a coach, athletic director, and principal, Judy was inducted into the Walter Smith Coaches Hall of Fame and the NH Coaches Hall of Fame, and she was named Athletic Director of the Year for Class M in 2004. In 2009, Judy was inducted into the NHIAA Hall of Fame.

Upon retiring from Winnisquam, Judy took an adjunct faculty position at Plymouth State where she taught and supervised student teachers, further sharing her skill and passion with yet another generation of teachers.

The WRHS boys' track team gave Judy the nickname she carried with humor and pride. "Ma Faaa" was the name hollered her way when she was spotted in a grocery store or other public places, always followed by a visit with a former student. In many cases, Judy taught two generations of the same family.

Judy loved teaching high school. She saw and understood the potential, promise, and individuality in each student. She shared a great respect with her teachers and support staff who strove to provide the skills students need to be successful. While Judy received many accolades during her career, most important to her was the regard of her colleagues and students. She was a true mentor and role model to the many people who had the opportunity of working with her. The outpouring of affection and appreciation of those she has touched has been overwhelming. The family is most grateful.

While in college, Judy married David Farr; they had two children, Rebecca Alice and Joshua Braley. Judy has spent the past 40 years with her wife, Karen Vliet. Years ago Judy and Karen bought a "fixer upper" in Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia. They spent several years working on the house creating a summer home they loved on the Bay of Fundy. As summer residents "from away," they became part of the idyllic community, making lasting friendships among the down-to-earth people who live there and sharing that world generously with their friends and family.

Judy was a skilled seamstress, knitter, and cross stitcher. Her first year of coaching offered no budget for uniforms, so Judy sewed them all for field hockey, junior varsity and varsity basketball, and cheerleading. She made beautiful counted cross stitch projects each year to be auctioned off at the St. James Holiday Fair. She served on and chaired the board of St. James Nursery School.

Judy and her sisters remained close and would Zoom weekly with the eldest sister, Susan. Together they would solve the problems of the world, eat cookies baked by Mary, and trade family insults. One subject of conversation always seemed to be why Judy was the one with the most beautiful hair.

Judy is survived by her wife, Karen Vliet; her daughter, Rebecca Farr Fredette (Jody) of Sanbornton; her son, Joshua Farr (Donna Seppy) of Monmouth, Maine; bonus children Lauren Smith of Concord, Colleen Mulligan (Mark) of Concord, Erin Maurer of Laconia, and Kyle Smith (Tammy) of Laconia; sisters Susan Hazelton (David) of Boise, Idaho, Mary Gibbs (Virginia Bean) of Belmont, and Celia Gibbs (Wendy Palmquist) of Plymouth; grandsons Trystan Fredette, Griffin Fredette, Jesse Fredette, Carter Fredette, Kilean Fredette, Logan Farr, and Braley Farr; and nephews Stephen Hazelton and Samuel Hazelton, as well as bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Saint James Episcopal Church, 2238 Parade Road, Laconia, on January 4, 2025, at 10:30 am followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:00 to 3:00 at the Conference Center at Blueberry Lane (formerly known as the Beane Center) at 35 Blueberry Lane, Laconia.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church. Please note Judy on the memo line.