Judith Cowey Leys (age 96) formerly of Middletown RI, passed away in her sleep Saturday June 27th, 2026 while a resident at St. Clare Home in Newport.
Born on Oct 8, 1929, she was the daughter of Felix Foster Cowey and Edith (Hoyle) Cowey.
She graduated from Rogers High School in 1947 and earned her BA at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, New Jersey. After completing college, she married her high-school sweetheart David (Bud) Leys. She and Bud raised seven children, living first on Barbara Street in Newport before moving to Judy’s childhood home on Easton’s Point, Tuckerman Avenue, Middletown.
Judy was predeceased by her husband David, brothers Foster and Ross Cowey and her son David P. Leys, Jr.
She is survived by her sister Ellen Ewens, daughters Ellen and Beth Leys and her sons Kevin (Midge), Paul (Mardie Corcoran), Andrew (Susan) and John, as well as fifteen grandchildren: Max Kaplan, Bowen Leys (Mary Kate), Ryan Leys, Annie Leys, Luke Leys (Rachel Clair), Liam Leys, Mac Leys, Jane Leys, Mary Leys, Shauna Danna (Mike), Brianne Banasiak (Matt), Maggie Leys, Jack Leys, Caleb Leys and Noah Leys. She also leaves three great grandchildren: Brayden Danna, Leif Leys, and Maxine Leys.
Besides being a loving mother and grandmother, she acted as second mom to many over the years and always had an open-door policy with plenty of snacks on hand for all the neighborhood kids (Ring Dings, Yodels, and her famous Cowboy Cookies).
Judy was a believer in helping out in the community. She volunteered for many organizations including Girls Scouts of America, American Association of University Women, Nina Lynette Home, and Meals on Wheels. She was a Hospice Care Respite visit worker and sang in the choir at St. Mary’s Church for decades.
The family would like to thank the nurses, CNAs, and the rest of the staff at St. Clare Home for the excellent care Judy received since moving there in 2019. They would also like to thank the hospice care workers of Hope Hospice who helped make her last days peaceful.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, July 1st at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Church, corner of Spring Street and Memorial Blvd, Newport.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center (1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904) or St. Mary’s Church (PO Box 547 Newport, RI 02840).
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