Julia A. “Judy” Rechichi – (79) – of 19 Blaine St., Hornell died Saturday morning (April 9, 2022) at St. James Hospital, following a long illness.

Born in Wellsville, NY on October 2, 1942, she was the daughter of Laurence & Helen (Vickers) Padden.

Judy grew up in Hornell and attended Hornell High School until her sophomore year when her family moved to Elmira, NY.  She graduated from Elmira Free Academy (class of 1960) and moved back to Hornell in 1961.

She was married on November 18, 1961 to John R. Rechichi who died December 4, 2004.

Judy had been employed for about two years at the lunch counter at the former Cards Drug Store and later as a secretary for about five years at Stern & Stern Textile in Hornell.  For about  25 years, Judy served as manager of the former Milbrook Store which later became Stroehman’s Store in Hornell, retiring in 2002.

For many years, Judy and John spent the winter months in Haines City, FL and enjoyed living in Hornell the rest of the year.  She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where for several years she sang with the St. Ann’s Choir.  He had been a member of the Hornell Association, the Hornell Moose Lodge, the Hornell American Legion and the Hornell VFW.

In addition to her husband, Judy was preceded in death by her infant sister, Mary Catherine Padden.

Surviving are her 2 sons, David (Yvette) Rechichi of Buffalo and Donald Rechichi of Hornell; 3 brothers, George (Marilyn) Padden of Hornell, Larry (Kay) Padden of Canisteo and Francis Padden of Hornell; 3 sisters, Madelyn Dugo of Hornell, Helen (John) Schwartz of Horseheads and Monica (Donald) Nenno of South Carolina; 2 grandchildren, Michael Rechichi and Rachel Rechichi; several nieces & nephews.

At Judy’s request there will be no calling hours.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday (April 21, 2022) at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with final interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Judy’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 – Dept. 300, Memphis, TN  38148.