Judith Ann Marsh (Judy) was born in Buffalo, New York, on September 28, 1945, to James and Lorna Marsh.She is survived by her brother Patrick and his partner Marilyn, her son Robert and his partner Sara, stepdaughters and their partners Lisa and Kim, Catherine and Christopher, Mollie, Sandra and Leanne, and by her beloved blended family that included grandchildren and step grandchildren, Cora, Cole, Riley, Louis, Maya, Isabel, Sophie, Alex, Daniel.

Following her graduation from Bob Jones University, Judy worked as a missionary in Scotland. She then spent five years in Student Life at Spring Arbor College in Spring Arbor, MI, as Dean of Women. Judy loved helping young people explore who they were and who they wanted to become. This experience led her to running her own therapeutic workshops, which increasingly focused on human sexuality.

She was certified as a Sex Therapist by the Masters and Johnson Institute in the early 1970s, before the Institute’s work was widely acknowledged. Judy recognized that Masters and Johnson were advancing the scientific study of human sexuality long before it became mainstream. She became a psychotherapist with a private practice in New England, eventually earning a wide and distinguished reputation, which led to two appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

After some time, she and a friend started a catering business. Calling it Mes Amis—“my friends” in French—she expressed both her creative and her social sides. The business grew rapidly, and she catered many political events, including those for Jane Fonda. Eventually, she was invited to cater events at the White House.

Judy spent time in Africa, where she became deeply concerned about the treatment of women. Having witnessed genital mutilation practiced by the Maasai tribe, she became involved in advocacy and support, helping young women avoid such violence, and helping survivors reclaim a sense of their own sexuality. She was a dedicated advocate for empowerment of women and those marginalized or disenfranchised.

Judy and her late husband Kimball moved to Florida to escape the harsh winters of the North. There, she enjoyed her family and friends, offering her support and deep compassion. She connected with people everywhere she went. She loved hearing people’s stories, and she could truly see people—and be seen by them—so quickly that it seemed she had old friends everywhere.

Her years in Florida following Kimball’s death were filled with friendship. She was a social person and enjoyed going to the theatre and dinners. A few years ago, she met Larry Patton, with whom she shared a loving relationship that was rich and full until the time of her passing.

Donations may be made in Judy’s memory to The Women’s Resource Center, 530 U.S. 41 Bypass, Suite 5A, Venice, FL 34285