Once dubbed mayor of the town by many she encountered over the years with her hugs, joy and kisses, Judy has moved on to a higher position. She greeted people with her customary smile and “Hi! Hi!” and hugged them. People generally looked forward to Judy’s solid hugs and she became known as an unofficial ambassador of Cloverdale.
Judith Janiese Warren passed away Jan. 29, 2025, in Cloverdale surrounded by family. She was 58 years old.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. on March 15 at Parkside Christian Chapel followed by a lunch celebration. Judy was born in Nyssa, Oregon on Feb. 14, 1966 into a large family of eight siblings. She was raised in Alaska, on a farm in Palmer near Pioneer Peak and came to live in Cloverdale 12 years ago with her sister, Victoria Martineau. From the frozen mountains to sunny palms of California, Judy made a happy transition.
People may recall her delivering Meals on Wheels – a plate of food with a hug. They may remember her at Zini’s where she occupied her “desk,” at an employee table near the cash register and popped up to chat with patrons and peeled potatoes or vacuumed the rugs for the owner, Chris Ambrosini, whom she claimed as her “boyfriend.” Or they may remember her from the time she attended the Ivy Church or the Good Shepherd where she held her singing debut. She also was known to dance in the Towns Square during festivities there.
A major milestone for Judy was her trip to Disneyland where she saw all her favorite Disney characters in person, especially dear Mickey Mouse.
In a write-up for the Cloverdale Reveille in 2014, Judy was described as all about Valentine’s Day, her birthday. “Her excitement barely contains itself for the bounty of possibilities. This is Judy Territory, one staked out and well-worn by her touches. It’s Judy Day, a national holiday all her own to be shared with all who know her – and many who don’t. Glowingly she informs strangers nearby in aisles that soon it’s her birthday.”
One time a woman was sitting in her car outside the Cloverdale Pharmacy. Judy made eye contact with her, and blew her a kiss. The woman came over and wanted to give Judy the bracelet off her wrist. “I needed her love today,” the woman told Victoria.
Such occurrences happened often.
In her final years, Judy was bedbound. Still, she greeted her caregivers each day in her customary joy and love.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Judy’s name to Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area.
