Judith S. Ochs

Judith S. Gray Ochs, 85, passed away at the Home of Good Shepherd on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with her loving family by her side.

Born on July 30, 1940, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Byron Gray and Margaret Gray Cohoon.

Judy graduated from Thomas Carr Howe High School in Indianapolis and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in History (minor Geography) 1962 from Butler University graduating with honors in Phi Beta Kappa academic society.  She was an honorary member of Alpha Lambda Delta scholarship society; and pledged Pi Beta Phi Sorority.  She did a summer at Purdue University where she met her future husband, Barry Ochs.  After graduating she followed her husband to Shippensburg, PA where she later earned a Master's degree in reading from Shippensburg University.  She was hired as a Reading Specialist at Boiling Springs High School, with a short stint teaching geography, another passion of hers. Her principal shared at her retirement “Students would enter Judy’s class as non-readers and would leave as readers.” 

Judy was a loved Mom and Grandma, world traveler, American Contract Bridge League – Life Master, and a dedicated teacher with over 40 years of experience. 

She is survived by a daughter, Karen Woodard and her husband Jim of Moreau, NY, two grandchildren, Kailyn and her husband Nick Barden, and Cameron; and her sister in FL.

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, a viewing will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Compassionate Care Funeral Home, 402 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.  A blessing will be offered by Chaplain Thomas Ryberg at 3:00 p.m.