Judith Assisi

Judith Susan "Judy" Assisi (née Joseph), aged 84, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026, in Teaneck, New Jersey, surrounded by caring family and friends.

Born on October 23, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, Judy lived a life enriched by her love for people and animals. She had an unquenchable curiosity about others and found joy in sharing their lives, hopes and dreams. Her cheerful spirit and ability to foster meaningful connections were her great gifts.

Judy was graduated from Rich Township High School in Park Forest, Illinois, and furthered her education at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Her first marriage was to Thomas Garland Thompson. Her second marriage was to Joseph Assisi, the love of her life. The marriage ended with Joe's untimely death after too few years together. Later on she met Herb Goodfried, who became her companion until his demise.

A passionate animal lover, Judy dedicated much of her life to breeding and training dogs. Among her proudest achievements was raising a Champion Bichon Frise she named Benjie. Later in life she adopted Bentley, a miniature poodle suffering from illness and neglect when she got him. But Judy deployed her training skills to the utmost, with patience and determination transforming Bentley into her cherished ‘good will ambassador.’ She’d often brush aside praise for rescuing Bentley, saying: "He rescued me too."

A passionate music lover as well, Judy's warm soprano/alto voice was on display in groups and solo. She participated enthusiastically and made lifelong friends in local folk music and tango groups, and journeyed twice to Argentina to hear tango at its source.

Judy's kindness and warmth touched countless lives. She will be forever in the hearts of her daughter and companion, Tracey Lynn Thompson of Teaneck, New Jersey; her granddaughter, Leona Angelina Thompson, and daughter-in-law Maria Markham Thompson, both of Baltimore, Maryland; her brother, Frank S. Joseph of Chevy Chase, Maryland, his wife, Carol A. Jason; and their children and grandchild: Samuel J. Joseph of Taos, New Mexico, and Shawn A. Goldstein and her son Kai Alexander Joseph, both of Frederick, Maryland. (Judy's son, Michael Garland Thompson of Baltimore, Maryland, predeceased her.)

Judy will live, too, in the memories of the many whose lives she touched, not least her two closest friends: Marion Levine of Secaucus, New Jersey; and Judy Davis Thornber of Chicago, Illinois.

Judy was born into a Reform Jewish family but practiced no formal religion. She did good in the world by touching the lives of others.

Mourners are invited to sit shiva on Sunday, April 19, and Monday, April 20, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. both days. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Shiva and the Celebration both will take place at Arbor Terrace Senior Living, 600 Frank W. Burr Blvd., Teaneck, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Judy's memory to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. (https://rbari.donorsupport.co/page/donate)

Judy’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her. May her memory be a blessing.