Judith Mae (Menard) Gallant passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 11, 2026 surrounded by family and friends at age 72.

“Jude” was born April 17, 1954, to Armand and Rose Menard in Lewiston, Maine on her parents’ 17th anniversary. Her family relocated to Rumford at age 4, where she spent the remainder of her life.

She is survived by her spouse of 54 years, Milton, also of Rumford, Maine and sons Derek (Kim) of Gorham, NH and Shane (Katie) of Canton, ME. She leaves her grandchildren, Wren, Elizabeth (Zoe), Jacob, Jenna, Sage, and Risa as well as dear friends Pat Garbarini, Linda Leclair, and Kathie Sylvia Dubois.

She is predeceased by her parents, as well as siblings Richard (Joanne), Daniel (Stephanie), and MaryAnn Menard (Jim Drake).

She graduated from Rumford High in 1972 and attended Mansfield Beauty Academy in Auburn, Maine. She owned a hair salon downtown, Samson & Delilah, which was frequented by many people in Rumford, including the local Exiles MC. She later owned a salon, A Cut Above, that she operated out of her house so she could spend more time around her family. She was a receptionist for Oxford Federal Credit Union, a clerk/designer for Decorating Plus, and spent 20 years working for LL Bean as a customer service representative, retiring in 2018 as a Product Support Specialist.

Jude was involved in ballet and jazz dance through her school years, and later in life had great fun learning belly dancing and putting on performances with her dance troupe. She also spent over a decade involved with and performing in RAAPA, she was never shy in front of a crowd. She enjoyed golf and kayaking. For years she had a tradition of kayaking at Worthley Pond on Thanksgiving, even in the snow!

One of the things she is most proud of is helping to start and run SOS (Spouses of Solidarity) food pantry and COOP, which supported the paper mill union families during labor strikes.

She loved her family more than anything in the world and was always our biggest fan and supporter. While cheering on her sons at packed wrestling meets, people would clear a space around her so they wouldn’t interfere with her unbridled enthusiasm. She also took great pride in making a big spaghetti dinner for the football team before home games, the number of meatballs she made was just staggering.

Jude’s first bestie in life was her cousin Janice, who she spent a great deal of time with, starting at the age of 5. She truly valued her 44-year friendship with Pat Garbarini and her family, there were many warm and special times spent together on trips and family holidays. She regaled and treasured the many adventures with Linda and Kathie in Florida, Long Island in Casco Bay, Niagara Falls, and Rangeley. If Jude was your friend, you had someone that was loyal and caring by your side whenever you needed her.

She had a profound LOVE of dogs over the years: Wilfred, Bosco, and Raven have a special place in her heart and are no doubt wagging their tails at her across that Bridge. Every dog was well cared for and had plenty of treats at “Camp Jude”.

Jude was well known for her big personality (or as she says, “A nice way of saying I have a big mouth”). Her kind heart and fun-loving personality will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She taught us how to love, how to enjoy every moment, how to care, and how to be a good person.

She wishes special thanks to Roger White, Shelley Ouellette, and Jennifer Demascio for bringing support during her illness. Love and thanks to Sage Gallant for putting her new nursing skills to use, providing excellent care in her final days.

Ma, you touched us all in a positive way and left us with an enormous number of beautiful memories. Thank you, we love you and will never forget you. JF (If you know, you know).

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Gregory Inn (767 River Road, Mexico, ME 04257) on July 25th at 12:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greater Androscoggin Humane Society (GAHUMANE.org).