Judith Ann De La Vergne

Judith (Judie) Ann de La Vergne, 92, of Indianapolis, passed away on February 7, 2023, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1930, to her parents, Philip and Rae Hutkin.
Judie grew up in Philadelphia where she attended Germantown High School, graduating in 1948. She completed three years of her bachelor’s degree at Penn State University and the remaining year at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University), majoring in education, after moving to Toms River, NJ in 1963. Later in life, she completed a master’s degree in counseling at Montclair State University.
Judie had a long and rewarding career with the Toms River Regional School District, where she also participated in teacher contract negotiations for many years. Most of her 29-year career was spent teaching fourth and sixth grade at West Dover Elementary School. For the six years before she retired, she served as an elementary school counselor at multiple schools within the district. She was a dedicated educator who cared deeply about her students, especially students with socio-economic challenges, and went to great lengths to ensure their success.
After retiring in 1992, Judie moved to Hewlett, New York, to be near her sister, Barbara. She was a member of the local bridge club and served several terms as president of the Hewlett Bay Manor co-op board.
In 2005, Judie moved to Indianapolis, where she lived directly across the street from her daughter, Lynn, for her remaining years. There she spent much of her time playing bridge as a member of the Indianapolis Bridge Club. She was also physically active well into her 80s, taking daily power walks around the neighborhood or on the treadmill.
Music was an important part of Judie’s life from an early age until the end of her life. She was an accomplished classical pianist and loved nothing more than listening to or watching musical performances in person and on YouTube. When she was younger, she also enjoyed skiing and amateur ice dancing at a local figure skating club. Her other hobbies included world travel, writing poetry, and caring for the many cats she adopted over the years.
Judie is survived by her daughter, Lynn Ward (Karen Gahimer); her son, Richard Halpern (Connie You); her sister, Barbara Westvig (Ernie); her godson, Nicky Rotella, and her beloved cat, Baby Boy. She was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children, Martin Halpern; and her second husband, Neil de La Vergne, who was the love of her life.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 1:30 pm in the Roosevelt room of the Fort Harrison State Park Inn (5830 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216). Friends and family may gather from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Judith to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, FACE Low-cost Animal Clinic, the Humane Society for Hamilton County, or Best Friends Animal Society.