Judith A. Vachon

Jude Vachon The Vachon family would like to share the sad and difficult news of the passing of their sister Jude Vachon of Pittsburgh. Her time with family and friends was too short, but she lived a beautiful life. She lived life passionately, sensitively and felt deeply. In her words, "I was lucky to have a full life with meaningful work and meaningful connections to people and nature." It is impossible to capture her life in mere words but many come to mind - community and connections; advocacy and social justice and deep, broad interests all wrapped with a great giggle. As the youngest of seven, Jude learned what it took to navigate a community and to advocate! She honed that knowledge as a graduate of Juniata College majoring in Peace and Conflict. She dedicated her life to engaging in the community and advocating for those whose voices aren't being heard. She was tireless in making sure friends and family were connecting. Like reading or playing crosswords with her nieces. She was always at the hub of information and assistance including her time as a librarian at Carnegie Library and her creating Be Well (bewellpgh.com), a healthcare resource for underserved communities. She put her energy behind important issues such as sustainability and affordable housing. She didn't just discuss these issues, she lived them. Not the least of examples is her becoming a master of the thrift shop! Jude spent seven formative years in Germany and used her fluency to tutor numerous students across the US in German and partnered with Rebecca Donner as research assistant and translator in the book All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days, the true story of the American woman who created and led a network of German resistance during World War II. Jude also had an insatiable set of interests that further fed her drive to connect. From writing to creating zines, organizing poetry forums, sewing, knitting and gardening. She was interested in interests, which made her interesting. A defining Jude feature, however, was her understated quick wit, always followed by an infectious giggle. Jude was the daughter of Lawrence J. Vachon and Mary Crean Vachon. She is mourned by her sisters Karen Vachon Thaner and husband Joe Thaner and Eileen Vachon-Vierra and husband Ron Vachon-Vierra; her brothers Mark and wife Karen, David, Paul and partner Terry, and Steve and his wife Michelle. She is missed deeply by her ten nieces and nephews - Dan and Ryan Thaner, Erin Vachon-Vierra, Lauren and Philip Vachon, Henry Vachon, Jonathan and Alexa Vachon and Jordan and Devan Vachon. Jude also left behind Opal her dog and Bedelia her cat, who are thankfully in their new homes. Jude's wishes were not to have a traditional, large service but a "small gathering with family and a couple friends, with delicious food and drinks." The family will honor that wish. We realize that there will be a desire and a need to show love and support for Jude. Many have already found ways to do that, for that the family is grateful. We encourage all to do what you feel Jude would want in your own way. One way to honor Jude is to help carry on her work and support the organizations that were important to her including, but not limited to Penn Animal Hospital (pennanimal.com), Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (humaneanimalrescue.org), and Women's Center and Shelter (wcspittsburgh.org). We'll leave you with Jude's last words, "What a gift this life has been. What a gift all of my loved ones have been. Thank you with all of my heart."

Judith A. Vachon

December 18, 1964 - August 19, 2021