Judith A. D’Antonio

South Deerfield, Massachusetts
SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA - Judith Ann “Judy” (Robinson) D’Antonio, 62, of South Deerfield, died Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, after a long and brave battle with several illnesses.
A native of Montague, she was born on September 3, 1955 at the former Farren Memorial Hospital in Turners Falls, a daughter to Charlotte (Thompson) Robinson, who died in 2006, and Maurice Robinson, who died when Judy was just 8 years old.
Educated in Montague public schools, she graduated in 1973 from Turners Falls High School, where she played clarinet in the band, was captain of the girls varsity basketball team, played volleyball and softball, twirled for the Color Guard and participated in junior prize speaking. She was also a Girl Scout and member of the Rainbow Girls.
Judy furthered her education at Salem State College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1977. After college, she went to work for the state Department of Transitional Assistance (formerly the Welfare Office) in 1984. Judy was still employed at the DTA office in Greenfield, and had planned to retire this year. She spent her entire career assisting others in need.
Before she started her career, she traveled to Europe with her college friends. Unfortunately, Judy had to cut the trip short when she developed Hodgkins disease at the age of 22, but she defeated the illness and married Rob D'Antonio, starting a family of three children who gave her the greatest joy of all.
Like in her professional life, Judy was always there to help her family and friends when they needed her. She began having significant health problems in 1999 that were connected to earlier radiation treatments, and she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2001. But, she never let it stop her. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and leiomyosarcoma a few years later, and then had another bout with breast cancer in 2009, eventually having a double mastectomy. She was diagnosed a third time with breast cancer last summer and survived that, as well.
Through it all, Judy showed grace, style and the strongest will to live that any of her family and friends had ever seen. She never lost her faith or hope. Not only did she fight all of her illnesses, but the annoyance, frustration, resentment, anger and pain that came with them, and her worn out heart was full of love to the very end. She never lost her kind and gentle spirit.
She lived one day at a time and did it to the fullest. She enjoyed every moment, and made sure everyone around her did, as well. And, with all of her health problems, it was still difficult for her healthy family and friends to keep up with her. She would simply look back at them, smile and say, "keep up the pace".
If God gives us only what we can handle, then Judy was, by far, the strongest person anyone who loved her knew. She loved the support group she had joined most recently, which kept meeting even after it had "officially" ended.
Most of all, through her valiant fight, Judy strove to keep her independence, and she died doing exactly that on Saturday, while helping someone else. God has a truly selfless angel in Heaven, now.
Before she got sick in the early 2000s, Judy loved to hike, camp, kayak, take long walks - anything physical. She was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and loved to visit Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell. She was a voracious reader.
Later, when the illnesses got worse, she loved to go to the movies, take long rides, dine out and talk on the phone with her three children and friends. She loved becoming a grandmother for the first time eight weeks ago, and was looking forward to her second grandchild's arrival in May. She also loved leading the charge each year to create a Lenten journal for her church.
Judy leaves her husband Robert "Rob" D'Antonio of South Deerfield, as well as her devoted children, Courtney D'Antonio and her partner Matt Sund and their son Connor Sund of South Deerfield; Brandon D'Antonio and his wife Marianne of Hatfield and their daughter, who is due in May; and Cara D'Antonio and her fiance Steeve Parent of Enfield, CT.
Additionally, Judy leaves her adoring siblings Stephen and his wife Kathy Robinson of Midlothian, VA.; David and his wife Gail Robinson of South Deerfield, MA; William and his wife Penny Robinson of Monroe, NC; Matthew Robinson of South Deerfield, MA; Donald and his wife Sara Robinson of Leverett, MA; and Faith Borden and her late husband Richard Borden of Ludlow, MA; along with several nieces, nephews and two grand-nieces. She also leaves her best friend Anita Fritz of Greenfield, MA and a host of dear friends who were a big part of her life.
Judy’s family will receive guests on Thursday evening, May 3, 2018 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the McCarthy Funeral Homes, 14 Prospect St., Turners Falls, MA.
A celebration of Judy's life will be observed on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 12 noon at the Whately First Congregational Church, 177 Chestnut Plain Road, Whately, MA. The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Crosson-Harrington, pastor, will officiate, assisted by Jack Cooper, lay celebrant and friend of the D’Antonio family. A reception will be announced at the conclusion of the celebration of life service.
In honor of their mother, Judy's children request that in lieu of flowers a gift in her memory be made to the Whately First Congregational Church, 177 Chestnut Plain Road, Whately, MA 01093.

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