Obituary of Judy Ann McAvoy

Judy Ann (Rhineschmidt) McAvoy, 65, 30 year resident of Danbury and formerly of Westchester, NY, died at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

Judy was born in Bronx, NY to the late Edward and Winifred Rhineschmidt. She was a graduate of Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing and from there began her life of caring for children.

In addition to her career as a registered pediatric nurse she gained certifications in Lamaze childbirth education, lactation consulting and bereavement counseling.

After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Judy cofounded and served on the board of directors of Hands up for Haiti, a medical humanitarian organization. Over her 14 trips to Haiti, Judy helped set up medical facilities to heal, teach and support the Haitian people whom she grew to know and love.

In addition to the time she dedicated to Haiti, Judy volunteered with a number of organizations including the Danbury Women’s Center and her church. In 2014 Hudson Valley Magazine honored Judy as their nurse of the year and she was recognized again in 2017 for her work with Hands up for Haiti.

Judy is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jim; her two sons, Tim McAvoy, and  Brendan McAvoy, and his wife DeAna; her daughter, Erin Gallagher and her husband Jason.  She is also survived by the love of her life, her grandson Archie; as well as her three sisters, Linda Jaffe, Nancy Martone and Katie Cassell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 27^th at 10:00am at St. Gregory the Great Church, 85 Great Plain Road, Danbury. 

Judy’s family will receive friends on Friday, January 26^th from 4:00-8:00pm at Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hands up for Haiti at www.handsupforhaiti.org/donate or mail to PO Box 913, Mount Kisco, NY 10549.