Judith Marie Van Handle, born on October 5, 1956, in Orange, NJ, passed away on January 6, 2026, at Baystate Medical Center.  She was the beloved daughter of the late Gilbert E. and Kathryne (Hart) Van Handle.

Judith moved with her family to South Hadley, MA, in 1963.  She graduated from South Hadley High School in 1974. During her senior year, she was a sports host at a local radio station, WREB, further igniting her passion for sports journalism.  She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

A distinguished career awaited Judith as she took an internship with the Boston Globe, where her talents shone brightly. She was hired full-time as a sportswriter and editor, fulfilling her dreams and dedicating over 30 years to the field. Judith retired in 2006.

Judith was a lifelong sports enthusiast. She was a member of the South Hadley Historical Society, often giving tours at the Firehouse Museum, sharing her love and knowledge of local history.

Judith is survived by her sister, Donna Van Handle, of South Hadley, as well as cousins Anne Kennedy Hart of Holyoke, MA, and Alice Kennedy of Wayland, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wed., Jan. 14th, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Church in South Hadley, with a period of visitation from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. The burial will take place at St. Rose Cemetery in South Hadley.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Judith's memory may be made to the Dakin Animal Shelter, honoring her lifelong love for animals.