Judith (Judy) Connell

Judy is a native of Lynchburg, VA.  Following her graduation from E. C. Glass High School, she earned a B.A. degree in Spanish at Brenau College in Gainesville, GA.  She continued her education at the University of Virginia, where she received a Master of Education Degree in Counseling.  During her career, Judy was a teacher and a school counselor at E. C. Glass.  She was a Licensed Professional Counselor and Assistant Clinical Director at the Madeline Center in Forest until she retired. 

Judy was married to the late Dr. Michael Connell, Psychiatrist in Lynchburg.  When they married, Michael had four children, Kevin, Christian, Andrea and Melinda.  Judy and Michael had one son, Michael Jr. (Chip).  Judy was an only child and marrying into a large family was a dream come true.  After Chip was born, Michael was offered a position as Medical Director of Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute in Marion, VA.  Michael, Judy and Chip moved to Marion, where Judy was a full-time mom.  In 1990, Michael passed away unexpectedly.  Judy and Chip returned to Lynchburg, where Judy began her journey as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Music has always been Judy’s avocation.  She studied voice while in high school, college and beyond.  Judy sang with the Fine Arts Center Chorus and Fascination, as well as many staged musicals.  When she returned to Lynchburg after her husband passed away, she joined the newly formed Jefferson Choral Society.  Carl Harris, a friend who taught choral music at E.C. Glass when Judy was teaching there, was the new director of the Jefferson Choral Society.  Carl lost his wife to ALS the year before Judy’s husband passed away.  Through music, similar experiences and other interests, they began a courtship that lasted until his death in October, 2025. 

Judy is looking forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones as she enters a new phase of life at Westminster Canterbury.