Judith I. Stebbins

AUGUSTA – Judith Iris (Johnson) Stebbins passed away at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 17, 1942, the daughter of Barbara Iris and Stanley N. (Pete) Johnson.

Judi graduated from West Springfield (MA) High School in 1960 and attended the University of New Hampshire (UNH). While there, on a blind date, she met her future husband, Arnold N. Stebbins. She attended graduate school at UMass, where she got a degree in Speech Pathology, a job she loved. In April of 1966, she married the love of her life, and in 1967, they welcomed their first of three children. In 1972, a job transfer led the family from Natick, Mass. to Winthrop, Maine, where they raised their children and lived for 51 years before moving to the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta in October 2023.

Judi lived a life of volunteerism. In college, she and a friend created “DIAL HELP,” a 24-hour suicide hotline, which operated in Massachusetts for years. She served on the Winthrop School Board, Winthrop Town Council, Special Olympics, Uplift, Americorps, Girl Scouts, the Governor’s Service Award program committee, Western Kennebec Economic Development Alliance, Tabitha’s Closet, and Rotary Club, among other organizations. She participated in the Winthrop Players and acted at the Winthrop Grange Hall. In 2011, she was recognized as the first ever winner of the annual Champion of Service award by the Maine Commission for Community Service. In 2014, she chaired the fundraising campaign for the Charles M. Bailey Public Library expansion.

Judi was a long-time supporter of the American Field Service (AFS) and enjoyed hosting and spending time with AFS students in Winthrop, particularly Arben, Daniela, Jesus, and Tessa, of whom she considered to be her own children. After retirement, “Gramcracker” as she was known to her grandchildren, enjoyed spending time with all of them, and particularly, watching their activities, including music concerts and various sporting events.

Judi loved playing the piano, which she would practice for hours at home or play for parties she was hosting. She also loved sailing, whether with the neighbor on the Cape, or overnights with her friends in Maine. Her favorite place on earth was sitting on the porch at the family’s cottage in Monument Beach, Cape Cod. Her fondest memories were spending summers on the Cape and all the family and friends who visited over the years.

Judi was predeceased by her mother and father and her siblings, Richard (Rick) Johnson, Robert (Kip) Johnson, and Karen Newsom. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Arnold; her children and spouses Mark and Karen Stebbins of Farmingdale, Andrew and Michelle Stebbins of Woburn, Mass., and Katy Stebbins of Hallowell; as well as six grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, ME, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion Hall at 117 Bowdoin Street in Winthrop on Saturday, March 29 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Roberts Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

Special Olympics Maine

525 Main St. Unit D

South Portland, ME 04106