Judith Ann Ortel, age 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Denver, North Carolina on August 19, 2026. She was born on June 18,1940 in Derby, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Santo James Messina (Jim) and Almarinda Janet Sicignano (Mollie).
Judy grew up in a large and loving family in Seymour, Connecticut that extended to 2nd and 3rd cousins with frequent family gatherings. Some of her fondest memories included summers at Milford Beach with family. She was married in 1962 to the love of her life Thomas Ortel.
Over the years due to Tom’s career, Judy, Tom and their 3 children resided in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. Judy spent 42 years of her life in Clifton Park, New York from 1978 – 2020. Judy and Tom had an expansive network of friends in the Capital District, and she had fond memories of her time as a teacher’s assistant in the Shenendehowa school district. In 2020 she moved to Denver, North Carolina where her sister Carol and two of her children Daniel and Jennifer currently reside. Judy again built a huge network of friends in 3 Cherry Way and in her “Moving On” group at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Judy continued to be full of energy, always staying active regardless of her age. She loved spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing Mahjong and cards, playing Pickleball and walking 2-3 miles a day up until her recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Judy had a positive impact on so many people’s lives and was extremely proud of all 7 of her grandchildren who lovingly called her “Mimi.”
A devoted spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling and friend, Judy is survived by her 3 siblings Carol (Don), James (Peggy) and Patty (Jay), her 3 children, Daniel, Douglas (Ann), Jennifer (David), and 7 grandchildren Brendan, Matthew, Christopher, Jillian, Megan, Sarah and Stephen, along with many other family and friends who will dearly miss her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 26 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 537 N NC 16 Business Highway Denver, NC 28037 with a visitation from 9:30-11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 AM. A luncheon for family and friends will begin at 12:30 pm at Twin Mills Club at Trilogy Lake Norman, 310 Exploration Blvd. Denver, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Judy’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society using the following link American Cancer Society in Memory of Judith Ortel Link or to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Building Fund Holy Spirit Building Fund Donation Link
Jude was a one a kind, original and such a joyous and loving mom.
She will be missed by many and admired by all who have known her.
Our deepest sympathy and love to all…
Rest in peace my dear friend. I’ll miss our lunches, shopping trips and the amazing travel that we shared and that I have such fond memories of. Our golden girls won’t be the same without you. I admired your integrity and I am blessed to have had you in my life.