With love in her heart and her loving family at her bedside, lifelong Vermonter and longtime Shelburne resident, Judy Cooley, peacefully entered eternal life at the McClure Miller Respite House, at age 81.
Her spirit lives on in her two children, James Davis and Daniel Cooley; four grandchildren, Riley Davis, Clementine Cooley, Penelope Cooley and Gwenyth Cooley; two siblings, Fred DeSpirito and his wife, Paula, and Donna Bird; and extended family and many friends from all walks of life.
We are all blessed to have learned lots of valuable lessons from this legend who left her legacy of love in our hearts and imprinted her selflessness on our souls. Most importantly: She taught us how to love. She loved with her whole heart, unconditionally; she loved fiercely, as her family creed was family first. She was always there when you needed her the most, even if you didn’t know how much you needed her. She was our biggest fan and our loudest cheerleader. She was honest, hardworking and took pride in her work, even if it was as simple as keeping a clean house. She was approachable and an active listener whose passion and compassion for people carried over into grocery store checkout lines, where strangers would often bend her ear, to which her free therapy was always appreciated. She loved God and nature, especially birds.
She was a skilled calligrapher and a champion disco dancer who lit up every wedding with her moves. There was always music playing in her home and a Thomas Kincaid calendar on her wall. She enjoyed painting and watching Bob Ross for hours to calm her restlessness and learn new techniques. She spoke her mind, used colorful language as her paint and talked with her hands like strokes of her brush. She made sure you could “taste her love” in every bite of her amazing meals and that family always sat together for dinner and the dinner table was a place filled with laughter and love, and no one ever left hungry. A lover of life, she was a mother to everyone and called everyone “sweetheart” — a fitting retirement for a woman who now sits next to our Heavenly Father.
Born in Burlington during WWII to Fred DeSpirito and Irene Mongeon, Judy didn’t see her father until he returned from overseas when she was 2 years old. Proud of her Italian heritage and New York City roots, Judy fearlessly competed in the Miss Vermont Pageant in 1963, where she performed, “Give my Regards to Broadway.”
Judy had so many interesting professions throughout her long life. In her younger years, she worked for the Singer Sewing Company, Champlain Ferry and Burlington City Hall under then-mayor Bernie Sanders. Her love for children led her to several schools, including Shelburne Middle School, Pine Crest School, the Gailer School and the Waldorf School. Later in life, she worked part-time at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company before finding joy at the Christmas Loft, where she was affectionately known as “Elf” Judy for spreading her Christmas cheer all year round. A likely excuse to send us personalized ornaments year after year.
We can all honor Judy’s legacy by living life the way she did, the way God intended love to be. Be kind, be patient, lead with your heart unconditionally, family first, and befriend a stranger in the checkout line.
At Judy’s request, instead of sending flowers, plant them.
A memorial service will be held this summer at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Burlington, followed by a celebration of life on Lake Champlain. A date and time to be announced by her family.
Love you to Pieces Mama Mia
This article appears in January 7 • 2026.
I worked a short time with her at teddy.she was such a sweet caring and nice person.i joked a lot times weren’t the best for me. it only made her more caring.she was like that with all there.she was absolutely a fun shining caring person a bright light even on dark days..from that very little time when I saw her picture I knew who it was…you really did make the world better.thats why i referred to you as sweet Judy r.i.p. ❤️