Judith "Judy" Lord Rawding

Judith "Judy" Lord Rawding, a woman whose life embodied faith, love, and dedication to family, passed away peacefully at home on December 25th, 2025, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving children.

Judy was born on November 12, 1941, in Portland, Maine, to Mary Agnes Curren Lord and Daniel J. Lord Sr. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she loved and trusted faithfully throughout her life.

Judy grew up on Grant Street and Sherman Street in Portland. From a young age, she helped her mother raise her younger siblings, a responsibility she embraced with joy. Her childhood was filled with ice skating at Deering Oaks, playing tennis with her father, and sitting on the family's second-story deck during thunderstorms, watching the lightning and rain with those she loved.

After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1961, and attending USM, Judy began her career at Maine Medical Center, where she worked for many years, first in the Conley Lab and later in the Endocrinology Lab. It was at MMC that she met her devoted husband of 39 years, Clarence Burton Rawding. Judy also worked briefly with Westbrook Rescue as a BLS technician.

Judy and Clarence's first date, a walk in Lincoln Park following Clarence's hospital stay. This marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership. They soon married and moved to the Rawding homestead on Jefferson Street in Westbrook, where Clarence was born, and died. Through years of hard work and sacrifice, they transformed the house into a warm and beautiful home filled with love where they raised their children and later welcomed their grandchildren for many visits and sleepovers.

Judy took great pride in creating a welcoming space for family and friends. Her care was evident in everything she did-from her Fourth of July parties on her beautifully landscaped lawn to her cherished Christmas Eve gatherings, complete with homemade Christmas cakes and special family recipes. She loved Bible studies, winter trips to Florida as well as Nova Scotia, going to lawn sales, quilting, decorating, and maintaining a neat and well-kept home.

Judy's love for her family was unwavering. She was always the first to arrive and the last to leave at her grandsons' football and lacrosse games at the Portland and Windham High Schools.

Judy is survived by her children, Dianne R. Mains and her husband Leslie of Windham, Daniel H. Rawding of Westbrook and his long time friend Sherry Garnett of Gorham, and Michael B. Rawding and his wife Kelly of Gorham; her grandchildren Jenna, Skyler, Von, and Forrest Rawding, all of Maine; her beloved 'Nana joys'," Grant Jacobson of Portland and Griffin Jacobson of Naples; and her treasured great-grandson, her sunshine, Luke Jacobson .

She is also survived by her faithful childhood friend, Joanne Lathem, and her husband Teddy of South Portland; her sister and dear friend, Cynthia Lord Wilson, and her husband David of Sebago Lake; her siblings Suzanne Lord Trask and Stephen B. Lord of South Portland; and her special "little brother", Robert J. Lord, and his wife Kandy of Standish.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Agnes Curran Lord and Daniel Joseph Lord Sr.; her beloved husband, Clarence Burton Rawding; and her brother, Daniel Joseph Lord Jr.

In her final days, Judy found comfort in the words of Psalm 23: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me." Her faith in Jesus Christ and her love for her family sustained her until her final breath.

Judy will be laid to rest at Saccarappa Cemetery in Westbrook, Maine beside her husband Clarence, with a spring burial, date TBD. A celebration of life will be held at her grandson Griffin's house in Naples, Maine following the burial.