Judy Hunt-Harris

Judy Hunt Harris took on many roles during her 74 years of life. The usual ones of daughter, wife, mother, of course, but also an influencer, a role model, a volunteer, shelter manager, community leader, hospice supervisor and cancer warrior. Judy believed firmly that volunteerism helps make the world a better place and she put that concept into practice throughout her life.

Born on November 26, 1949, in Easton, PA, Judy grew up as an only child in the Baltimore area. Most of her adult life was spent on the Eastern Shore of Maryland enjoying her work with the Girl Scouts of America, the Red Cross and Hospice. Judy loved boating with her friends, picking crab, or cheering on at the local Shorebirds games.
In 2016, Judy moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to be near family, and continued her knack for making friends and her love of community service. Active with Parks and Rec and senior groups, she stayed fit playing pickleball and swimming. On any given day, one could spot Judy with her pool noodle and familiar ball cap as she did her laps and chatted with friends. She loved people, traveling, music concerts, and caramel Frappuccinos—not necessarily in that order.

Later in life she battled cancer many times to be healthy enough to pursue her love of traveling. Aside from her many beach trips up and down the east coast, she’d visited Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, as well as doing a bus tour of the western US.

As valiantly as she fought, cancer only has to win once, and Judy passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Raleigh, NC, surrounded by family. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Downs, son-in-law, Greg Downs, and grandchildren, Caleb Downs and Isabelle Downs. Of all her roles in life, she will be remembered most especially as a good mother, a loving grandmother, and a great friend.