Judith Augusta (née Denhoff) Forste, known lovingly as Judy, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was 79 years old.
Born on April 28, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, Judy was the daughter of Peter Adam Denhoff and Eleanor Pauline (née Krauss) Denhoff. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Forste, as well as her parents, Peter and Eleanor.
Judy grew up in Ridgewood, New York, and graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1963. She spent many years working as an administrative secretary at Redeemer Lutheran School in Glendale, where her dedication and kind heart touched the lives of many teachers, students, and families.
Faith played an important role in Judy’s life. She was a devoted member of The King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, where she found joy and friendship in groups like the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Ladies Lunch Bunch, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML).
Judy had a creative spirit and a generous heart. She loved her crafts, and crocheting was her favorite hobby—especially when she could make something to share with those she loved. Her greatest joy, though, was always her family.
Judy is survived by her sister, Linda (née Denhoff) Favuzza.; her daughters, Laura (née Forste) Napiza, Gayle (née Forste) Harmon and Sharon (née Forste) Lubbe; her sons-in-law, Ben Napiza, Bill Harmon, and future son-in-law, Chris Blanco; and her treasured grandchildren, Jack Harmon, Samantha Napiza, William-Henry (Max) Harmon, Danilo (Danny) Napiza, and Noah Harmon. Each of them brought light and laughter to her life.
A funeral service celebrating Judy’s life will be held at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, VA. on November 22, 2025 at 10:30am. She will be laid to rest at All Faiths Cemetery, 67-29 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY.
