Judith Ann Goodwin

Ware – Judith “Judy” Ann Goodwin, 82, of Ware, died on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Quaboag Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield with her family by her side.

She leaves behind her husband, Paul M. Goodwin; her four children: Lisa Zearfoss and husband, Ken, of Bristol, CT, Mark Loya and wife, Maria, of Broken Bow, OK, Tammy Cairns and husband, Scott, of W. Brookfield, MA, Cheryl Artioli and husband, Dante, of Exeter, NH; a son-in-law, Frank Stolar of Ware, MA; eight grandchildren: Alicia Jasiekiewicz, Ryan Stolar (Kristen), Amanda Dusza (Norbert), Colby Loya (Rosemary), Joshua Stolar, Brandon Cairns (Rebecca), Lindsey Polselli (Adam) and Kody Cairns (Rachel); ten great-grandchildren: Logan, Lukasz, Brandon, Kaileena, Raegan, Kinsley, Benjamin, Riley, Zofia and Miles; her life-long friend, Kathy Parmenter and several step-grandchildren/great-children. She was predeceased by her brother, William Grassi, her son-in-law, John Jasiekiewicz, and her granddaughter, Lacey Jasiekiewicz. She was born and grew up in Lowell, daughter of the late Guido Grassi of Whitinsville, MA and Ruth M. (Matley) Grassi of Lowell, MA. She lived in Ware for over 50 years and considered the small town her home.

In addition to raising her children, she worked for many years as a machine operator at the former Wm. E. Wright Co. in West Warren, and the former Ware Knitters in Ware. She also worked as a patient care aide at the former Belchertown State School. In her later years, she spent a good portion of her time helping with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite past-time was doing search-a-word puzzles, watching CSI, Law and Order, Blue Bloods, old westerns, Wheel of Fortune, and the Red Sox games. She refused to bring her Red Sox neck pillow to the nursing home because she felt that meant her situation was permanent.

When Judy was well, she showed her love to everyone she knew with food and crocheted items. She didn't know how to make one sweater set for a new baby, there always had to be multiples. She put way too many onions and green peppers into her pasta sauce, but she made one heck of a peanut butter fudge. Her whoopie pies and mac-n-cheese were always requested for gatherings. She made enough food to feed an army and taught her children that the door was open to everyone during the holidays. She enjoyed her Kahlua Sombreros at Christmastime and making memories with all she loved. She was the last one to know the scoop in the family because sharing information with her was like sharing it with the world. Secret keeping was not one of her strengths, but she had a great sense of humor and was teased for being so gullible at times. The “Judy stories” will forever be shared with smiles and laughter in the family.

Everyone that met her thought she was such a sweetheart; however, she could definitely push buttons. She sometimes said the wrong thing at the wrong time and never quite understood why someone was upset, but she loved her family to the core of her soul. She was not perfect, but she was ours: our Judy, our Julie, our BBJ, our mom, our mumma, our grammy, our grandma and our nana. We wouldn’t have traded her in for the world; well, maybe for a big lottery win (Too soon for a joke, Judy?). She was so extremely proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She wanted to share everything about all of them every chance she could. One would like to believe that was why secret keeping was so hard for her.

Judy was so loved and will be eternally loved by her family. Her nasally voice with her annoying questions will be so immensely missed, but not being able to hear her say "I love you" will be the hardest of all.

Services for Judy will be held privately. Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St., in Ware is assisting her family with her care and arrangements. An online tribute page is available at charbonneaufh.com