Obituary of Judith Cole Harrison

Judith Cole Harrison, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on June 1, 2025, in Darien, Connecticut. Born on May 15, 1940, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, to Harry and Betty Cole, she was the middle of five children and is survived by her brothers Mike and David Cole, along with many nieces and nephews. Judy is also survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Matthew Harrison, her daughters Cecily Urenay (Gokay) and Page Gostling (Peter), and four adoring grandsons: Berker, Arman, Win, and Chips. She will be remembered for her kindness, intelligence, and elegance. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Judy's early career included work as a teacher, a book researcher—earning credit in Dean Acheson's Pulitzer Prize-winning *Present at the Creation*—and a travel editor, both in the U.S. and Belgium, where she and Matt moved as newlyweds. After raising their daughters, she pursued her passion for aesthetics as an ASID-accredited interior designer. Judy and Matt spent over 30 years in Greenwich, CT before moving to Darien to join their daughters last year. Judy's life was enriched by travel, reading, music (she was an accomplished flutist), learning, hosting, and design. She rose to the challenges—including many moves—of supporting Matt's career, both in the Army and in civilian life. She embraced new challenges even into her 80s, from mastering new recipes to sewing gifts for her grandsons. Whether hosting gatherings, offering a trick (or a gadget) to make someone's life easier, or making special memories with her family, she approached life with grace, warmth and humor—especially the ability to laugh at herself. Her kindness and elegance touched all who knew her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Judy's memory will be honored at a service at the Old Cadet Chapel at West Point on September 12, followed by committal in the West Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Bravo! Waterbury, which provides musical outreached to underprivileged children.