Obituary
Judith Ann (Safriet) Daugherty
August 1944 – October 2023
Judith Ann Daugherty passed away peacefully in her home in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida on October 2, 2023. She left this earth to join her beloved husband in an afterlife sure to be filled with laughter and love.
Judith was born in Harlan, Kentucky to Wilma Selvey Safriet and Luther S. Safriet, Jr. and lived there until 1953, when she and her family moved to Paintsville, KY. Her love of music manifested itself there as she became an accomplished pianist and organist, and often played the organ for services at their church. Something she would do throughout her lifetime at multiple congregations.
Judith also had a lifelong love of the water. Whether swimming in it, boating on it, or living by it, she was never far from the water! Evidence of this was first found when she qualified as a certified swimming instructor and lifeguard, and she served in those roles both at the Paintsville public pool as well as at a lake in the Jenny Wiley State Park.
Upon graduation from high school in 1961, she enrolled as a freshman at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond, KY, and pursued a major in home economics. Her accomplishments at EKU were not limited to the classroom as she was also a star on the women’s intercollegiate synchronized swimming team.
The next chapter in her life took her from her treasured home state of Kentucky as she accepted a position to teach home economics in Baltimore County, Maryland. While embarking on a new career in Maryland, she met the love of her life, Edward A. (Ned) Daugherty whom she married in 1967 and moved to Bowie, Md.
In 1968, she and Ned became the proud parents of identical twin sons, Brian David and Michael Scott. Motherhood proved to be Judith’s greatest calling and she devoted her life to raising her children in their suburban hamlet outside of Washington, DC. Nearly all the children of Bowie benefited from her warmth, hospitality and caring. Judith created a home filled with love, understanding, and support, as well as a never-ending supply of all the best snacks.
The family lived in Bowie for the next 25 years where Judith employed all she learned in her studies of home economics in deftly managing the challenges presented by a household with rambunctious twins. Whether it was hosting a sleepover for neighborhood kids, managing the household finances, or getting to one of the thousands of pick-ups or drop-offs of kids—she was always there with a smile that would brighten the day of everyone she encountered.
After successfully raising a family in Bowie, she and Ned retired and moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they would stay for two decades. Judith kept active by volunteering regularly at the local hospital, earning her Master Gardner’s certification, and being inducted into the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), a national women’s group dedicated to promoting educational opportunities.
In 2014, they moved to Daytona Beach Shores, Florida to be nearer her parents and other family members. Once again, she was active in Master Gardners and the PEO, and was a regular member of their condo’s weekly “fetch up and catch up” gatherings. While in Daytona Beach, she delighted in sharing the beach, pool, and countless treats with her three grandchildren, Dylan, Chase, and Miller.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned, as well as by her parents and aunts and uncles. She is survived by her sons, Michael and his family who live in Winter Park, FL, and Brian and his family who live in San Diego, CA, and her younger sister, Barbara, who lives in Portland, OR and Orcas Island, WA.
Judith led a rich and full life that was dedicated to helping those around her. Whatever challenges presented themselves to her never diminished her kind spirit and generous nature. All who had the privilege to know her are the better for it. Her absence on this earth leaves a space not easily filled, but she would enjoy knowing that other caring souls are working to fill it through their acts of kindness.
There will be an in-person memorial service for her on November 4 at 11 AM EST at the All Saints Lutheran Church in Daytona Beach Shores, and the service will be available virtually as well.
I have been wondering if Judith was still struggling with her health after Ned passed or if she was doing better. I see now that she has passed and her service will take place on November 4. I hope to view it.
Judith rode with us to our Chapter S, P.E.O. meetings. Her friendship through P.E.O. was a "treasure." We loved her calm and her great sense of humor. We were sorry to have her move to Florida but knew it was necessary and gave her an opportunity to be close to you, Michael, and your family. Thank you for taking such good care of them until the end.
Judith will be missed by many. I will share her passing with other chapter members. She was a valued member of our chapter the short time she was with us.