Judy Tenney Brook

The world lost a bit of its sparkle when Judy Tenney Brook slipped out the back door of this life on Nov. 20 th. If you listen closely, you may still hear her humming Peter, Paul and Mary tunes or whistling while fishing off some rock.

She was a devoted daughter to Keith and Jean (Sunbury) Tenney, a loving and impish sister of Jon Tenney (Barbara) and her predeceased brother Jeff Tenney (Maggie). Her greatest love, pride, and joy were her two children, Megan Dorsey Goulet (Brian) and Walker Munro Brook (Ali Malone) and her granddaughters Maia, Sade, and Madi.

A proud alumna of Norwich University, she dedicated many years of her career to UVM Extension and the Laraway School at which she found her passion in working with young people and positively influencing their lives.

She was proud to be a former Miss Lancaster Fair. She could pick up any musical instrument-guitar, harmonica, violin, nose whistle and instantly play it as if she'd been practicing her whole life. She collected antiques not because they were old, but because they had stories. A lake was never to be ignored without a quick swim. She hand-stitched quilts, each one a quiet example of patience and devotion. Her grandgirls could tell you that the best 'Meme' sleepovers on earth happened in her home, in which bedtime was negotiable and fun was engineered with love.

She was a good friend to many, a joyful conspirator to some, and a master of creating delight in places where others might not think to look. She was just mischievous enough to make you wonder what she was plotting behind that smile. Though she has left this earthly plane, she left a trail of love, laughter, and unforgettable quirks for us to enjoy.

Adventurous by instinct, mischievous by calling, she had the uncanny ability to turn ordinary moments into a tale worth retelling. She believed kindness was the most important currency in the world, and she spent it freely on friends, on strangers, on anyone who needed a soft place to land.

Her last ten years or so were spent wrestling with the ugly disease of Alzheimer's, a thief that tried its hardest to rewrite her story. Even as the disease worked to take pieces of her world, it never managed to take the truth of her. She remained herself, gentle and kind.

So here's to the woman who taught us that life is best lived with music in the air, mischief in your eyes, kindness in your heart, and maybe a sleeve of Oreos in your pocket and a Moxie in your hand.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association at VT Chapter 75 Talcott Rd Ste 40 Williston VT 05495and/or to honor Judy's favorite currency, the family suggests performing random acts of kindness.

A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Jeffersonville Congregational Church at 16 Church St on Dec. 14 from 2:30 to 4:30.

Condolences may be made through the AW Rich Funeral Home website www.awrfh.com