Judith Barrington Kenly

Judith Barrington Kenly, much loved mother of Stewart Gall Kenly and Susan Kenly Waite, and grandmother to Teagan Elizabeth Kenly, passed away on November 1, 2023 in Austin, Texas surrounded by her family. She is also survived by her daughters-in-law Majbritt Susanne Rayas and Amy Danielle Kenly, son-in-law Julien Reul Waite, stepson William L. Kenly V, stepdaughter-in-law Kathy Morelli, and step grandchildren William Kenly VI, Michael Kenly, Daniel Kenly, Daniel Rayas and Sofia Rayas, and sister Joann Baxter.

She was preceded in death by husband William L. Kenly, stepchildren Julie and Michael Kenly, brother Bobby Barrington and sister-in-law Mary Kenly Gall.

Born on August 24, 1942 to Mack Barrington and Ruth Stewart in Los Angeles, California, Judy was the youngest of three children. A tomboy at heart, she was always outside playing pick-up baseball or riding a bike in her East Hollywood neighborhood near Griffith Park.

In the late 1940s, Judy spent several years living with her material grandmother, Adah Quarles, a science teacher.

In August 1954 with her sister Joann, Judy travelled cross-country by train from Los Angeles to New York, then flew to Germany on a Douglas DC-3 to join her mother, who was teaching at an American Army base camp. Judy lived in Stuttgart for two years and Heidelberg for one year. During this time, she toured Europe, visiting the U.K., Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland (where she skied at Davos.) Judy especially loved Germany at Christmas, saying, "No other country does it better."

In 1957, Judy returned to the United States with her mother, sister, and soon-to-be stepfather Hoppy Cassidy, an officer in the US Army. The family settled in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Judy competed in the 1959 NRA rifle competition, placing 8th nationally and winning an Alice Allgood Cooper Trophy medal.

Judy attended Syracuse University, graduating in 1965 with a BS in human development.

She then worked as a draughtsman at architecture firm Huber, Hares and Glavin in Skaneateles, New York, where she met William L Kenly IV.

Judy and William were married in their Skaneateles home on November 22, 1969.

The couple relocated to Norwich, Connecticut in 1975. Their son Stew was born in March that year and their daughter, Suzy, in September 1982. The family moved to Sandwich, New Hampshire in 1986.

Judy worked at the Sandwich Elementary School as a special education teacher.

In 1991, Judy started a sign painting business, Judy 'Signs. Her clients included local businesses such as the Sandwich Post Office, law offices, public beaches, ice hockey rinks, animal hospitals and children's nurseries.

Judy later lived in Hanover, New Hampshire and Epping, New Hampshire. In Epping, she was a member of the local community church bell choir. In 2014, she moved to Austin, Texas.

Despite being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017, Judy remained optimistic, constantly reminding those close to her that "it could always be worse."

In addition to her positivity, she will be remembered for her quirky sense of humor. (When Judy's mother-in-law voiced concern at six-month-old Suzy's lack of hair, Judy made a wig for her.)

Judy was utterly devoted to Stew's and Suzy's upbringing. She loved being a mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.