Judith McLellan

Judith Ann McLellan, 77, left this earth for her heavenly home with JESUS, with her family by her side on October 6, 2020, due to complications from undiagnosed Scleroderma.  She was born July 1, 1943 in Brockton, Massachusetts to Ernest and Viola Pratt.  She met her future husband in 1964 at a USO dance and happily married Thomas Kalani McLellan on August 8, 1965.  They just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Judith was a dedicated mother first and foremost.  She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them.  When asked her what her favorite moments with her children were, her response was, “Everyday JOY!”  She supported them through all their sports, musical instruments, Boy scouts, Girl Scouts, ballet, Civil Air Patrol, and more.  She especially loved her role as “Grammy” or “Grandma” to her three grandchildren Terrence, Ryan, and Ellarose.

For decades, Judith volunteered her time to be a leader and mentor to many young men and women of Mount Airy.  While her children were younger, she was an active member of Saint James Episcopal Church, teaching Sunday school and helping with Christmas Pageants.  She worked with the Girl Scout Troop 468 for twelve years.  She encouraged girls to develop strong self-confidence and leadership skills and helped guide them as they grew into young women.  She was regularly marching in the Mount Airy Firemen’s parade, whether it was with the Girl Scouts, or with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).  She also volunteered her time in the Mt. Airy Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol from 1996 to 2008.  She served as Squadron Commander the majority of that time.  Under her command, the cadets gained self-confidence, leadership skills and discipline and developed into responsible citizens and today’s leaders.  Many CAP cadets went on to military academies.  One of her personal highlights in CAP was the International Air Cadet Exchange.  She traveled twice as a chaperone, once to Canada, and the second time to the United Kingdom.

Judith made friends and colleagues everywhere she went.  She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star/ Rainbow Girls, since she was a child.  She worked various jobs throughout her life including computer data entry, court reporter, retail department manager, technical editor, and more.   She retired from her favorite job as a Technical Editor for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2015.

Until her health condition made it impossible, Judith was very active in her gardens.  She cared for and grew her favorite flowers: Iris, Lily of the Valley, Mums, and Roses.  She also enjoyed growing delicious fruits and vegetables.  Her heirloom tomatoes were the most coveted.  She inherited her love of gardening from her father, who had a backyard greenhouse in Massachusetts.  She and her daughter enjoyed many hours working in the gardens, at one point having over 40 tomato plants alone!  For hobbies she played the organ, did scrapbooking, and became an expert in genealogical research and family tree building, even tracing a member of her biological family to the Mayflower.  Judy was a proud New-Englander and LOVED the rich heritage she inherited from there as well as every moment she could spend at the ocean!

Judith is survived by her husband of 55 years, Thomas Kalani, son Shaun Thomas, daughter and husband-in-law Kathleen Judith and Evan Cargill; grandchildren Terrence McLellan, Ryan McLellan, and Ellarose Cargill; Niece Lee (Snelgrove) Ventre, Niece Kathy (Ingles) Valliere, plus, many other nephews and nieces.  Each one she loved deeply.  She was preceded in death by her loving father and mother Ernest & Viola Pratt, sisters: Jane, Priscilla, and Patricia, Nephew / Niece – in –law Bobby and Tina Ingles and beloved pets Zorro, Jamie, Contessa (Tess), Commanche, Baby, Wrangler, and Molly.

An outdoor celebration of Judith’s life will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Main Street, Mount Airy, MD, Saturday, October 17 beginning at 2:00pm.  As an expression of sympathy, donations may be sent to:

Maryland Wing Headquarters

Lt Col Judith McLellan Memorial Scholarship Fund

3085 Hernwood Rd.

Woodstock, MD 21163

MDWG.cap.gov/index.php/donate

**Due to the current COVID 19 Pandemic, and health concerns and safety for VERY vulnerable family members, we respectfully request if you have had recent exposure to COVID that you NOT attend.  In addition, we respectfully request masks for anyone attending.  As much as we would love to hug and shake hands for all attending, due to health considerations, we will have to maintain social distance of 6’