Judith Johnson Pierrot

Judith Johnson Pierrot, Judie, died peacefully at her home in Fresno, California on August 18, 2024 at the age of 86.

Judie was born at home in Vernal, Utah on May 26, 1938. She was the elder of the two Johnson daughters born to Virginia and Theodore Johnson. After World War II the Johnson family settled in Denver, Colorado where Judie graduated East High School, '56 and the University of Colorado, BA, '60. Shortly thereafter she married, taught second grade in Los Altos, Ca and welcomed two children, Kimberly Susan and Kevin Theodore, to her family. Following a 1966 divorce, Judie moved back to Denver and two years later married her husband of 56 years, Alan Hay Pierrot, M.D. They added two daughters to the family, Stacey Leigh and Amy Hay in 1969 and 1971.

Judie loved people of all ages and was a skilled connector who brought out the best in everyone she met. She had a smile that could melt an iceberg. She was fun, witty, warm and a wonderful conversationalist. Everyone loved Judie, sought her out and cherished their time with her. She was a grand champion wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Judie gave back in many ways, in the elementary classroom and PTA, as president of La Feliz Guild, twice president of Fresno Home & Garden Club, multi-year service on the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation of the State Bar of California and the Town Hall board. She loved the stimulation of The Forum and Monday Study Club. She was the third of ten Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters in the family, membership that spanned four generations. For years she pursued dual interests in reading and art, particularly watercolor. Her lighthearted sketches had a whimsy and charm that matched her personality. Travel, tennis, bridge, Junior League, and The Fresno-Madera Medical Society Alliance produced lifelong friends, of which Judie had many. She stayed connected. People were her priority. Her memory for important and unimportant personal details in the lives of family and friends--birthdays, anniversaries, trips, graduations-was amazing. Many people have a favorite bed pillow. Judie named hers, Squirty. Squirty went with her to college and stayed with her throughout her life. She loved Squirty and for sixty-five years never found a rival. Judie was a force, an example of the power of love. She was classy, artistic, kind and always welcoming. She could charm the devil.

She is survived by her spouse, Alan H. Pierrot, her children, Kimberly Duff (Greg), Kevin Avoy (Kim), Stacey Simons and Amy Schwary; her sister, Susan Elliott (Gordon), and her ten grandchildren, Lindsey (Avoy) Knoblock, Taylor Avoy, Brandon Duff, Finnegan Duff, Shay Simons, Teddy Simons, Ryan Schwary, Reagan Schwary, Kate Schwary and Camille Schwary.

The family is planning a celebration of life at a future date, probably over the Christmas holidays. Judie loved the spirit of Christmas.

Judie followed a simple life plan and value system that called for kindness to others, a positive attitude, no complaining and always supporting, encouraging, and praising others. It was a powerful motto that endeared her to all. On her dying day, with her head on Squirty, she was peaceful, strong and without regret, proud of her family--her greatest accomplishment--and supporting of all to the very end. We loved her dearly.