Judith Ann Craig

Judith Ann Craig (Snelders), 83, died peacefully on March 17, 2022 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington with her oldest daughter by her side.

Born July 22, 1938 in Bay Ridge, NY, Judith was the daughter of the late Gerardus (George) Edmundus and Judith (Smith-Jensen) Snelders, and younger sister to the late Arthur O. Snelders. Married in 1955 in Valley Stream, NY, she started her family shortly after, residing in Islip, East Rockaway, and later in Laurence Harbor, NJ. Fifteen years and six children later, the family made Woodbridge, NJ their home for over a decade. It was here that Judith made lifelong friends and enjoyed an occasional day trip to New York City for the culture of an opera or a museum tour.

In the late seventies, she found the call of rural life too hard to ignore and moved to a farm in Bradford County, PA, with her two youngest children. There she pursued her passion for living off the land: cultivating amazing herb and vegetable gardens, and tending to domestic animals and livestock alike.

Once the nest was empty, Judith pursued her love of books returning to New Jersey to start a new career managing bookstores. Eventually she settled in the rural Berkshires, and then in southern Vermont to manage bookstores at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Bennington College, respectively. While not quite the life of a farm, her love of homesteading practices—such as cooking and soapmaking—flourished, and she looked forward to planning and planting each year, particularly her favorite lilies. Her later years, spent in Stephentown, NY, were full of beloved pets, gardens, and family visits.

Devoted to her children, Judith held an immense pride in being their mother. She is survived by four children, Melodie A. DuBeck of Eagle Bridge, NY, Doris Robles Craig (Eric Olson), of Appleton, WI, and Kathleen Day (Carl) of Jersey Shore, PA, and one son Thomas Karl Craig (Jennifer Rork) of Williamstown, MA. Her daughters, Judith Nelson and Melinda Edith Craig, predeceased her. She also leaves dear friends who brought her joy, unending comfort, and support, Jane Sasala of Sewaren, NJ and Julia Astfalk of Allen, TX.

Perhaps her favorite role was that of "Granny". She leaves Shannon Prokopiak, Renee Prokopiak Matatt, Joseph Nelson, Kristen Nelson, Erica Peterson, Maraen Sommer, Christian Robles, Kayleigh Spencer, Abigael Robles, Emily Gauss, Michelle Jordat, Donald Jordat, Ashley Talmadge, Amy Talmadge, Carl Day, Jr., Travis Day, Shayna Day, Madelyn Rork Craig, Henry Rork Craig, and Cady Rork Craig. She was predeceased by her grandchildren Tara Nelson and Edward Jordat.

She was also great-grandmother to 30 great grandchildren; and great-great-grandmother to two great-great-grandaughters.

A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date.