Obituary: Judith Lynn Restagno

Judith Lynne Restagno of Mt. Laurel, NJ, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2015 in Reading, Massachusetts after a strong fight against lung cancer. Judy lived her adult life in Moorestown and Mt. Laurel, NJ, but spent her final months near her children in Massachusetts.

Judy was born on August 17, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Guido F. and Mary Ann Ramm Restagno. In her early years, Judy and her family, now including younger sister JoAnn, moved to Olympia Fields, Illinois where she finished grade school and graduated from Rich East High School in 1963.

Judy attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she majored in speech therapy. She was an active member of her sorority, Alpha Phi, and met her future husband, Bill Klanderman, while performing in “Humorology”, a UW charity. Bill and Judy were married at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois on July 9, 1966. Judy was only two semesters short of her degree and intended to finish her degree on the east coast when she chose to move to the Philadelphia area with Bill as he began his career.

When Judy arrived on the east coast she had the opportunity to follow her desire to become a teacher and taught first and second grade in Marlton and Bordentown, New Jersey for three years. Judy then decided to take some time off and start a family; son Greg was born in 1970 and Eric in 1974. Judy and Bill settled in Moorestown, NJ where they raised their children. In addition to being a loving and involved mother, Judy had many hobbies including tennis, needle point, gardening and antiquing. Judy’s eye for design and detail were evident in the care and decor of both her yard and home.

As Judy’s children grew, she became more involved in community activism and spent much of her time with CAREZ (Citizen’s Advocating for Responsible and Equitable Zoning), a volunteer non-profit organization she created. Judy was passionate and worked tirelessly to save wetlands from being developed in Moorestown along the Route 38 corridor between Marter Ave and Moorestown/Mt Laurel Rd.

Judy’s passion and activism lead her to finishing college, and then attending and graduating from Rutgers Law on May 21st 1992. Judy really found her passion as a lawyer working for DYFS, The Division of Youth and Family Services of NJ. Judy felt as though this was her calling and truly loved advocating for underrepresented children. After Judy retired in 2007, she continued to volunteer through CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of NJ) until her diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the lung (Stage 4) in early 2014.

Judy is survived by two sons; Greg Klanderman and his wife Barbara of North Andover, MA, Eric Klanderman and his wife Andrea of Longmeadow, MA; four grandchildren; Amy and Andrew Klanderman of North Andover, MA, Jacob and Sophia Klanderman of Longmeadow, MA, sister JoAnn Kulaski, niece Michelle Kulaski, nephew Mike Kulaski, her beloved miniature schnauzer Oliver, as well as several extended family members and countless friends.

The family would like to thank Virtua Hospital System in Southern NJ, Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospice in Springfield, MA, East Village Place in East Longmeadow, MA, and Sawtelle Family Hospice in Reading, MA for their love and care of Judy.

Services for Judy will be at Lewis Funeral Home located at 78E Main Street in Moorestown NJ 08057. Doors for Memorial will open at 1PM with services starting at 2PM. Judy’s tribute page is located at http://www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com/obituaries/Judith-Restagno/. In Lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to American Cancer Society or CASA.