Judith “Judy” Wooster Murphy

Judy passed peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on October 29, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia.

She was born on June 28, 1947, to the late Earl Wooster Jr. and Bernadette Wooster. Judy grew up in Wolcott, Connecticut, and enjoyed modern dance, art, gardening, decorating, and family vacations to Hermit Island and Naples, Maine.

She graduated from Wolcott High School in 1965 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She continued her education at Central Connecticut State University, earning a Master of Science degree in Career Education, followed by a sixth-year degree in Administration and Supervision.

After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, the late George Murphy, and they raised their family in Wolcott, Connecticut. She worked as a teacher for the Wolcott Board of Education for 36 years. Judy’s passion for education led her to serve as a high school department head, supervising programs in applied education and business, including food service, school-to-career, and family and consumer science. She went on to become the Director of Adult Education for the town of Wolcott. After a remarkable career devoted to education, she retired in June 2005.

Judy was very passionate about politics and served as an active member of the Town Committee in Wolcott for many years. She was also an avid golfer and enjoyed being a member of the Watertown Golf Club. One of her favorite golf memories was being able to golf at St Andrews in Scotland. She also loved to entertain, often hosting family and friends for fun holiday parties and regular neighborhood card games. She was a talented and creative person who painted wonderful artwork in her free time. These treasures now hang on the walls of her family’s homes. Travel was another joy in life for her. She loved to cruise to many locations around the world, however, her most cherished vacations were the summers spent with her family on Cape Cod. This was a time that brought all her grandchildren together. Fondly known as Mimi, she treasured every minute with them, from extravagant tea parties, chips and queso for breakfast, midnight snacks, and all-night card games. She was truly a devoted grandmother.

After retirement, Judy left Connecticut and moved to Richmond, Virginia, to be closer to her family there. She created a beautiful and fulfilling life in her new home. She made wonderful new friends, continued to enjoy her passions for entertaining, golf, and travel with amazing new people. Card games, progressive dinners, golf cart parades, and trips all over the South, as well as destinations as far away as Japan and Egypt, were how she enjoyed this fulfilling time in her life. She embraced her new community and fully enjoyed her retirement years in Virginia.

Judy is survived by her two cherished daughters, Ronni Cinella (John) of Glen Allen, Virginia, and Karri Williams (Eric) of Wolcott, Connecticut. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Joshua and Julia Williams and Hanna, Jack, and Kate Cinella; her brother, Earl Wooster III (Cathy); her niece, Heather Bailey, and great-niece, Morgan, of Waxhaw, North Carolina; along with many other Schell cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her sister, Karen Matthews, and many other beloved family members.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Judy’s life on Saturday December 19, 2026 at 1:00pm at Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Rd in Wolcott. Burial will follow in Woodtick Cemetery.

Visit www.woodtickmemorial.com for online condolences and directions.