Judith Easton McCollough

Judith Easton McCollough passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 14, 2023. Judith Easton McCollough was born on October 31, 1935, in Chicago, IL, the youngest of four children to father, John (Pete) Mills Easton and mother, Hazel (Boyle) Easton. She was raised in Highland Park - a beautiful suburb of Chicago.Her family moved to Winter Park, FL her senior year of high school where Judy graduated from Winter Park High School and went on to college, receiving her BA at the University of Florida and her MA at Nova Southeastern University.Judy was all about supporting people so their inner light would shine. She spent more than 32 years of her career as a first grade public school teacher in the Alachua County School District, retiring from Talbot Elementary. Judy loved and was profoundly engaged in care for the Gainesville community. She avidly participated in all aspects of Habitat for Humanity, was an active lifelong Holy Trinity Episcopal Church member, and participated in many homeless outreach programs. Judy was a docent in the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History. She was also active in the Gainesville Garden Club. Judy was known for her mysterious green thumb (even plants she recycled to a mulch bin would come back to life!).She relished adventure and had many memorable vacations traveling with her sister Jean and brother-in-law Wally Rietz.Judy loved being a Dirty Apron Book Club member, where lively discussions of various books were shared for over 30 years. With the gift of time, her book club also became a sisterhood, supporting each other through all that life brings. Judy really believed in a healthy lifestyle full of activity. She did an east coast walk for Habitat for Humanity, earned a karate green belt, and got her degree from the University of Florida, all while being a single mom raising three young kids. She was also an original member of the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center. Her membership fee was $19.00 a YEAR! For those who know, you know what that means. Judy enjoyed competitive cribbage, especially when she won, which was often! Jon Peterson and Phyllis Hildebrand were more than friends. They were family and remained a consistent presence and support throughout her life. Judy continues to be of service to others by dedicating her body to the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida for use in medical education and research.She is preceded in death by her parents; John Mills and Hazel Boyle Easton, and siblings; Jack Easton, Jean Rietz, and Joan Watkins. She is survived by her daughters; Julie McCollough-Patrick and her husband, Michael Patrick of Gainesville, FL; Jennifer and her husband, Marc Stein of Jacksonville, FL and her son; Andy and his wife Cathy McCollough of McLean, VA. And last but not least, Judy loved her grandchildren the most: Liam and Hunter Patrick, Garrett Stein, Summer, Easton, Rachel and Vaughn McCollough.Judy's Celebration of Life will be held at the Gainesville Garden Club, 1350 NW 75th Street, Gainesville, Fl 32605, on June 25, 2023, from 10:00 am -12:00 pm, in the Laura Carmichael Building.In lieu of flowers, please give to Alachua Habitat for Humanity athttps://www.flipcause.com/hosted_widget/hostedWidgetHome/MTU4Mzgw. This website will take you to the donations page and by scrolling to the bottom of the second page, you will have the ability to give in memory of Judy McCollough.