Submitted by Thomas Lentz.
Judith P. Lentz of Killingworth, age 86, passed away peacefully at the Middlesex Hospital Comfort Care Unit on January 10, 2022 after a short illness. She was born August 27, 1935, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the daughter of Waino I. and Laina Makela Pernaa. She grew up in nearby Ashby and attended Ashby High School where she graduated valedictorian. She graduated from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio in 1957 where she majored in biology. She then earned a Master of Science degree in 1961 from Cornell University. She then worked for four years as a Research Assistant in the Department of Biology at Yale University. She married Thomas L. Lentz on June 17, 1961. In 1966, they moved into an eighteenth century house in Killingworth, Connecticut. They enjoyed restoring the house, rebuilding a barn, and collecting antiques to furnish the house. In 1964, they bought property on a hillside with a beautiful view in Topsham, Vermont and later built a cabin there that was enjoyed by the family over many summers.Judy and Tom had three children, Stephen (Erica), Christopher (Julie), and Sarah (Ronald). Their grandchildren are Joshua, Kira, Callie, Ian, and Grace. She is survived by her sister Janet Coulombe and brother Wayne Pernaa. Judy enjoyed flower gardening, identifying wildflowers, watching birds, and especially caring for her beloved sheep and cats. She was involved in dyeing wool with natural plant dyes, weaving, and making crafts with the Fibre Arts Guild. She had a gift for making flower arrangements, which adorned church services and received many awards.Judy was very active in many of Killingworth’s affairs and organizations. For her contributions, she was named the Killingworth Lions Club Citizen of the Year in 1993. She was Judge of Probate for the District of Killingworth from 1988 to 2005. She was President of the Killingworth Nursery School, Program Director of the Platt Nature Center, and on the Board of Directors of the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust. She was a member of the Evergreen Garden Club, Historical Society, and Scholarship Committees. She taught preschool at the Red Barn Children’s Center in Clinton. As Judge, she performed many marriage ceremonies. In the Congregational Church in Killingworth, she was the first woman Trustee, served as Church Clerk, Deacon, Advisor to the Pilgrim Fellowship Youth Group, and on the flower committee. She very much enjoyed working in these groups and attending church with her many friends.
Donations in her memory can be made to the Congregational Church in Killingworth or to the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust.
