The world lost a kind and gentle soul when Judith A Wells passed away at the age of 79. Judy was born in Granville, NY on May 15, 1946 to Eloise and Howard Wells.  Before the age of one, the family moved to Claremont, which became home for the rest of her life. Her childhood years were spent in the close-knit Maple Avenue neighborhood, where she attended Maple Avenue School and then Claremont Middle School. A 1964 graduate of Stevens High School, she played clarinet in the High School Band and orchestra and played on the basketball team for three years. As a member of the First Baptist Church, she was very active in the youth group and then joined the choir as she got older.  Many close friendships were formed there, which remain to this day. She attended Nasson College in Maine, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  During college she did a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria.  While there she travelled throughout Europe, staying in Youth Hostels.  Upon graduation she returned to Claremont and in 1970 took a position at Maple Ave School as a Kindergarten Teacher.  Thirty-five years and nine months later, after teaching at Maple Ave and then Bluff Elementary she decided it was time to retire. She was beginning to see the grand children of her first students in her classroom. She loved her students and gave each one of them the best start in school that they could have had.  During summers and holidays, she spent as much time as possible with her 5 Nieces and Nephews. Judy was the "fun Aunt".  Once she retired, she joined the Claremont Garden Club and was a strong supporter of Claremont, in particular the Claremont Opera House.  There was always a cat or two in her life that she willingly took in when they needed her or she needed them.

She was predeceased earlier this year by her younger brother, Jeff Wells, also of Claremont.  Surviving her are her sister Jane W. Adams and her husband Bill of Cummington, MA. Her sister-in-Law Claire P. Wells of Claremont.  Nieces and Nephews: Steve (Christie Getman) Wells of Hanoi, Viet Nam; Lynn Wells (Mark) Little of Claremont; Jennifer Adams of Arlington, VA; Greg (Erika Silva) Adams of Tilton, NH; Heather Adams (Nate) Nypaver of Swissvale, PA. Also, Grand Nieces and Nephews: Benjamin and Noah Adams, Griffin Wells and Rylee, Olivia and Brady Little. Judy also leaves behind her beloved cat Buster.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sullivan County Animal Shelter in Claremont or The Claremont Soup Kitchen in her name.

Visiting hours will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont, NH on Saturday, November 15th from 1pm to 2 pm with a service at 2PM. Burial will follow at the West Claremont Burying Grounds.