Obituary of Judith Willis Lesch

Judith Willis Lesch died peacefully, surrounded by her family on July 23, 2015 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She had heroically battled pancreatic cancer for three years. Judith treated the illness without emotion--as a matter-of-fact. She maximized her time with her grandchildren and family, and she made careful plans for all of them. Born on January 7, 1941, she was raised in Evansville, IN. A graduate of Julliard, Judith was a well-known and respected choreographer. She had her own dance company and was featured in The Complete Guide to Modern Dance by Don McDonagh, the New York Times dance critic. (Doubleday, 1976; pp. 272-274). Her best-known piece was "Songs for Young Lovers," which showed her great talent and her sense of humor. It was performed by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Judy received an EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University, and went on to teach and mentor educators of learning disabled students. She progressed from a pre-K teacher in Mamaroneck to a post-graduate teacher at Bank Street College. Her greatest joy in life was her family and grandchildren. She made every effort to spend time with Ana and Amalia Mesa, and Charlie, Daniel and Willa Lesch. She was much beloved and is survived by her loving husband, Michael, a lawyer, daughter Sara Lesch, a lawyer, and son Ben Lesch, a teacher, and their spouses, Gabriel Mesa and Ali Lesch. Services will be Monday, July 27, 2015 at 11 AM at the Larchmont Temple, 74 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, NY. Shiva will be observed at the family home, 40 Prospect Ave. Larchmont, NY 10538 starting at 6 PM Monday and 3 pm Tuesday. Donations may be made to Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org or (800) 430-4907.