Judith Ann Fink Mercer

Mercer—Judith Ann Fink Mercer, 83, on December 8, 2024, in Greensboro, N.C. She was born June 8, 1941, to Winship Fink and Ann Kiedrowski Fink in Manhattan, N.Y. Judy attended Richmond Hill High School in Queens, N.Y., and received a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Ohio State University. She married John H. Mercer on May 16, 1965.

Judy spent her early years in Queens, later living in Miami, Fla.; Columbus, Ohio; and finally Greensboro, N.C., where she attended New Garden Meeting. Her participation at New Garden included attending meetings for worship, assisting with flea market preparations, and collecting donations for immigrant families.

Judy was a very talented artist and writer with a deep love of animals and of nature. A self-described tragic romantic, she appreciated the small things in life: the crackling of a good fire, the stillness that comes while sitting among trees, the beauty of a sunset, the love of a dog, a good glass of wine (or even a bad one), the arrival of Orion in the winter sky. She had an incredible memory up until the very end, and could describe in detail events from her early childhood or plots of books she’d read years ago. She could recite poems she’d learned as a child, and tell the birthday of just about everyone she knew.

Judy lived at Friends Homes retirement community later in life. A lifelong learner, during her time there, she could often be found outside in the courtyard reading her weekly copy of The New Yorker from cover to cover, no matter the weather. She’d gladly share details of interesting documentaries she’d watched on television or books she’d read.

Judy’s intelligence, kindness, unique sense of humor, and delicious eccentricity will be missed.

Judy was predeceased by her husband, John H. Mercer; parents, Winship and Ann Fink; two sisters-in-law, Mary Etherington and Elisabeth (Wizzy) Mercer; and a brother-in-law, David Hewes.

She is survived by one child, Jane Mercer Kitchen (Christian); two grandchildren; and two siblings, Diane Hewes and Larry Fink (Linda Fink).