Judith Anne Smith "Judy" Githens

Judith (Judy) Anne Smith Githens, may she rest in peace, died of a long illness at 87 in Hernando, FL. on September 25, 2025. She was born in Montclair NJ on June 27, 1938. She will be remembered for her drive, strong can-do personality, and success both personally and professionally. She excelled as an athlete as a youth and adult and became successful professionally.

At nine, her family moved to a rural town in NH. Here she developed her love for the outdoors. She loved the ocean. After a couple of years at a private school, Cushing Academy, and a year of college, she traveled to Oklahoma. At 21, she married and adopted three children. They moved to Tennessee and eventually, Virginia. After the children had grown, she attended and earned a BA degree from Mary Washington. After divorcing, she met her late husband, Les Githens. They settled in Fredericksburg where, as typical, she excelled at water skiing at their lake house. There, her career blossomed in computer programming, working for Burroughs and General Products. She retired in 1993. She and her husband then moved to Citrus Hills, Florida, living an active life in this golfing community and scoring in local PGA tournaments. They also moved to St. Cloud for a short while to be closer to family.

Judy shared her love of life with all she knew, supporting her children in sports when they were growing up; sharing many memorable times with her sister throughout the years; and traveling the world with her husband. Her children remember her as a "Tom Boy", loving sports and someone that "if you told her she couldn't do it, she did it." She was a "Role Model", accomplishing everything she did. Her sister describes her as someone "who did it her way". She had a strong personality which proved to help her achieve so many things throughout her life. Even when medical issues changed her life, she persisted and was undaunted.

Judy is survived by her children: Richard (Ric) Greene, Patricia (Patty) Grenier, and Michael (Pete) Greene, sister Helen (Lee) Koshman and her husband Les' children: Jay Githens, Robert (Rob) Githens, and Lillian (Lilli) Craig Pritchett. There are 11 grandchildren: Sara Dubay; Rebecca Valentine-Bliss, and Allie Githens; Nathan Githens, Robert (Alex) Githens, Jacob Githens, and Lauren Githens; and Kristine Pritchett, Brandon Pritchett, Elizabeth Garnet Straley, and Zach Pritchett. She also has 13 great grandchildren all of who brought her great joy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Githens, and her grandson Justin Grenier.

Judy will be reunited with her husband, Les, as their ashes will be returned to her husband's hometown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Citrus Hills Department of Animal services as Judy was always an animal lover.