Judith Louise Kochenash

Judith Louise Kochenash, known affectionately to all as Judy, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, at Advanced Healthcare in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, just six days shy of her 81st birthday. She was born on December 23, 1944, in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, Judy was a lifelong resident of the Keystone State.
Judy's early years were spent in the nurturing care of her parents, the late Ray Robert Hess and Pauline Merwine (Kern) Hess. She grew up alongside her sisters, the late Jeanne Walbert and Janice Watson, in a home filled with joy and kindness. Judy's formative years were spent at Liberty High School, where she graduated in 1962, laying the foundation for the wonderful life she was to build.
In the heart of her hometown, Judy met and married her soulmate, Edward Kochenash, and the two embarked on a remarkable journey of 58 years together. Judy embraced her role as a homemaker with unparalleled passion and dedication, raising her three daughters, Stephanie, Michelle, and Kara, with endless love and the wisdom that only a mother possesses. Stephanie and her husband Donald found their home in Whitehall, PA, while Michelle and her husband Mark settled in Bath, PA, and Kara, together with her husband Steven Hruska, made their life in Wilmington, DE.
Judy's legacy includes her cherished grandchildren, Rachel, Edward, Courtney, Sally, and Logan, each of whom brought immense joy and pride to her life. She instilled in them the values of family, hard work, and the importance of cherishing life's simple pleasures.
A woman of many interests, Judy's love for auctions, antiquing, the thrill of the casino, and the treasure hunt at flea markets spoke to her adventurous spirit and keen eye for unique finds. Her enthusiasm for these activities was contagious, and she often shared these passions with her family and friends, creating countless cherished memories.
Judy's life was one of full and selfless giving; she was the cornerstone of her family, a source of unwavering support, and an example of living life with grace and joy. Her presence was a comfort, her laughter a melody, and her guidance a compass for those fortunate enough to know her.
Services: A Funeral Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, where family and friends may pay their respects from 9:00 A.M. until the start of the service. Interment will conclude services at Altona Cemetery, 3228 Altonah Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Judy's services have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Judy's name to K9s for Warriors online at https://k9sforwarriors.org or via mail to 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida, 32081.