Judith H Arreola

Judith “Judy” Arreola, 85, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on September 19. 2026 from the complications of pneumonia at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her husband of 61 years, John, sons, Brad, and Chris and one of her closest friend, Kristina Waskom.

Born on February 10, 1941, in Rochester, NY, Judy was the beloved daughter of Dr. Frederick D. Hughes, and Josephine Koch Hughes. She has two surviving brothers, Frederick (Freddie) Hughes, Jr., and Richard K. Hughes. Her parents since had passed on.

Besides her husband, John, she is survived by sons, Bradley and Christopher (Shelly Cavaliere), grandchildren, Carter, Lucy, Salvadore, Gio, Carolina, and great grandson, Theo. This represents 4 generation of the family.

Judy graduated from Pittsford (NY) High School in 1959, and received her BA degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College (now part of Boston University) in 1963. She received her first teaching appointment at Regnart School, in Cupertino, CA, HQ of Apple Computers.

She met John, her future husband through his friend who was engaged to Judy’s roommate at the time.

Shortly after their marriage in Rochester, NY, in 1965, her husband who was a corporate financial executive with a major U.S. corporation, was sent to Venezuela on an extended assignment, so they moved there in the early 1966’s, until the mid 1983’s, a period extending to almost 18 years. While there, Judy continued her teaching career, teaching in the English-speaking school established by U.S. Steel for the children of executives of the company working there. Afterwards, she was asked to start and coordinate an English-speaking Kindergarten School for children of executives of Reynolds Aluminum working on the first aluminum industry in Venezuela. Prior to returning to the U.S., she was privileged to meet Mother Teresa of Calcutta (now Saint Mother Teresa) who indicated at the time the need for a school for the indigent children in the poor “barrios” of eastern Venezuela. Judy started a project to start a school with the help of the Venezuelan government, together with private corporate donations from the various foreign companies operating there. The family continued financial support to the school through the years. During those years, they also raised two sons who were born in Venezuela, thus. making them dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizens. Both are bi-lingual.

Upon her return to the U.S. in the mid-80’s, she started a career in real estate, and became very successful in her new profession. At the peak of her career, while affiliated with the national organization of ERA Real Estate, she was recognized nationwide as one of the top Customer Satisfaction Award winners. She was an avid reader, who organized and led book clubs. She also enjoyed playing golf, and playing contract bridge. She was a Eucharistic Minister in the Roman Catholic Church, and did volunteer work involving children.

Judy will always be remembered as the most caring, friendly, compassionate, loving, unselfish, and empathetic person they have ever met.

In consideration for out-of-town guests, a celebration of life for her will be held at a later date to be announced. She received the Last Rites of the Catholic Church at her death bed.