Judith E. Emery

Judith “Judy” Emery, a lifelong resident of Livingston Manor, NY, entered into rest on April 14, 2026, at the age of 86. She was born on December 22, 1939, at home in Livingston Manor, NY, the daughter of Olive Kohler and Clifford Rheinheimer, and the stepdaughter of Raymond Tompkins.

Judy was deeply loved throughout the community she called home and served for many years. She began her working life as a telephone operator before embracing her favorite role as a devoted mother. Once her daughters were out of elementary school, she returned to the workforce on Main Street in Livingston Manor as a shopkeeper—first at Central Pharmacy, and later at the Electric Service Shop, where she worked until retiring in her sixties. She also played an essential role in her husband’s business, Emery’s Auto Body, until 2018.

In addition to her work, Judy was an early member of the Livingston Manor Fire Department’s Manor Hose Auxiliary. Later in life, she found great enjoyment working with the Sullivan County Board of Elections and the Town of Rockland Board of Assessment Review. She was widely known as a positive, nurturing, and loving presence in the community—someone many fondly referred to as a “second mom.”

Judy was fiercely independent and could often be found power washing her house, rearranging furniture, shoveling snow, or climbing a ladder to keep her windows spotless—despite her daughter’s worry. She loved to knit and generously donated hats and mittens to children at Livingston Manor Central School.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: drives in the country, dancing with her beloved Fred, Sunday FaceTime calls with Lori and Jodi, and preparing favorite meals for her grandchildren. Home was her happy place—whether she was watching her birds, watching her soap operas or Netflix series, chasing away woodchucks and squirrels in the backyard, reading a romance novel, or blaring her country music. Her home, and her presence, brought immeasurable comfort and joy to her daughters and their families.

After the passing of her beloved Fred, Judy joined her daughters and their families on annual summer trips to Bethany Beach, Delaware, where countless cherished memories were made.

In the final chapter of her life, we came to understand that Judy’s definition of “quality of life” was beautifully simple: it wasn’t about possessions or even independence, but about spending as much time as possible with those she loved.

Though the hole in our hearts is profound, it is filled with the warmth of wonderful memories.

Judy was predeceased by her husband, Frederick Emery Jr.; her parents, Olive Kohler, Clarence Rheinheimer, and Raymond Tompkins; and her sister, Janet Rheinheimer.

She is survived by her daughters, Jodi (Tim) Miller of Cattaraugus, NY, and Lori Emery (Lucy Georgeff) of Stone Ridge, NY; her granddaughters, Casey (Ray) Campbell, Quinn Emery, and Shea Emery; her great-granddaughter, Blair Campbell; her great-grandson, Collin Campbell; her stepsister, Wanda Touchton of Jacksonville, FL; and her stepbrother, Gary Tompkins of Ormond Beach, FL. She also leaves behind many dear friends, including those with whom she shared coffee and laughter every Tuesday and Thursday morning at Café 43 in Livingston Manor.

Visitation will be Sunday April 19, 2026 from 3-7 PM at the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 

Funeral services will be Monday April 20, 2026, at 11 AM, also at the Harris Funeral Home, Liberty, NY. 

Burial will follow the funeral at the Lew Beach Cemetery. 

A gathering will be held after the burial at the Livingston Manor Fire House, 93 Main Street, Livingston Manor, NY.

The family is asking that donations be made in Judy’s name to the Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corp, PO Box 1, Livingston Manor, NY 12758, to the Livingston Manor Fire Department, PO Box 867 Livingston Manor, NY 12758, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY. www.Harris-FH.com 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200