Judith Walsh

Judith Pansa Walsh (Judi) passed away on January 20, 2026, in Newport, Rhode Island from complications due to Alzheimer's Disease. Judi was both the adoring and the adored wife of Tom Walsh for 48 years.

Judi's life story with Tom began when they were members of a wedding party in Tampa, Florida in 1974. After the ceremony Judi and Tom's paths diverged but later, by happenstance or God's grace, they met again in 1976 at The Davis Island Yacht Club after Judi disembarked from sailing at the Club's Thursday Night Racing. To Tom's amazement, Judi accepted his invitation to dinner the following Saturday night. That they commenced their life journey together at a yacht club was so fitting for Judi as later in life she enjoyed sailing the waters of Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay.

Born on July 9, 1948, to Betty ("Boop") and Attilio ("Artie") Pansa, Judi grew up in Bristol, Rhode Island. Her father Artie was an exceptional athlete at Colt Memorial High School and from 1946 to 1960 he was the head coach of baseball and basketball and backfield coach of the Bristol High Colts, where he and his teams chalked up numerous class two championships. In 1960 Judi and her family moved to Betty's hometown Homestead, Florida, where Judi graduated from South Dade High School in 1966. Judi continued her education at Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising in 1970 and with a second degree in Home Economics in 1971. She was a proud member and officer of the Tri Delta sorority.

Judi's professional career - best described as in public relations and education - began at Tampa Electric Company, continued at The Edison Electric Institute in Washington, DC and finally at The Marketing Group representing the Hercules Fibers Division across the Southeastern U.S.

Upon retirement from her business career Judi focused on the real passions of her life: volunteerism and community involvement. This included being a volunteer with and President of The Junior League of Northern Virginia (where her goal was "To Put the F(un) Back in the Junior League") and later serving on the Board of Governors and committees of the Norwalk Yacht Club (where she was most proud of publishing the Club's newsletter) and of the Bristol Yacht Club. Judi also volunteered for activities with Hospice and The Boy Scouts of America and served those in need at the community kitchen of the United Congregational Church of Middletown, Rhode Island.

Judi was admired by her friends for her handmade Christmas cards and the Reindeer Food cards she made for many children. Her passion for the Christmas season resulted in these projects consuming over six months every year, producing well over 100 cards of each type annually, containing such intricate designs that many recipients saved them as a treasured gift from her.

Judi's zest for life included sailing her favorite small sailboats on Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay, one of which she christened Sea Vu Play, skiing and dog sledding in Beaver Creek, Colorado, hot air ballooning, playing her piano, traveling the world including three sailing voyages on Sea Cloud in the Mediterranean, being entertained by her favorite soap opera "All My Children" and Hallmark Christmas movies, and leading the architectural design phase, construction of and decorating the five homes where she and Tom lived, the last of which brought her home to Rhode Island.

Above all, Judi's deepest love was for her family and friends: brother Dante Pansa of Daytona Beach, Florida; cousin Thomas Pansa and his wife Camille, and cousins Andrew and Ronald Pansa of Bristol, Rhode Island; stepsons Jeffrey and Jonathan and Jon's wife Liz and daughter Campbell of McLean, Virginia; and her unofficial family - the Vorro's and Dow's of Bristol and Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Manassas, Virginia. Judi also treasured her "sisters" and their spouses of "The 41 Club" of the Junior League, especially her dear friend Mare-Clare Molony and her husband Michael both of whom predeceased her in 2001.

Judi's overriding love was her precious years with Tom with whom they shared this motto: "We go together like peanut butter and jelly; you're sweet and I'm stuck on you." Their wedding song "Here Comes the Sun" embodies their marriage.

Judi and Tom are deeply grateful to the compassionate staff at Village House of Newport, Atria Aquidneck Island and Home Health & Hospice Care for their care and support for Judi.

Celebrations of Judi's life will be held at a future dates in Bristol, Rhode Island and in McLean, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online in Judi's name to East Bay Sailing Foundation (eastbaysailingfoundation.org), or to EBSF, 101 Poppasquash Road, P.O. Box 855, Bristol, Rhode Island.

For obituary, online condolences, and directions please visit www.sansonefuneralhome.com