Judith Ann Occhetti-Klohr passed away June 13, 2026. She was born in Akron, Ohio on February 16, 1942.
She is predeceased by her mother, Evelyn Josephine Stone and her father, Clare Lester Stone, “Stoney”, and her husband and best friend, Leo Robert Klohr. She moved to Raleigh, NC and after Leo Klohr passed, she moved to Florida to be with her daughter, Aimee Occhetti. Judy was a compassionate, loving, selfless woman who always put others needs before her own. She thrived on making positive changes in the world.
Judy received a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina. She worked in Child Protective Services in Raleigh and in adoptions at Catholic Social Ministries; she loved being a social worker and she was good at it! Most of Judy and Leo’s free time was spent working for peace and justice. She was part of a group that started Agape Place, a shelter for homeless people and the first of its kind in Raleigh. Judy had to deal with years of neighborhood opposition and lobbying the city to change their zoning ordinances, as well as to raise enough money to buy and renovate the house, hire staff, and build a program. Over several years, putting one foot in front of the other, Judy pulled it off. As always, she attracted a circle of committed friends to work alongside her; she was great at teamwork.
Other peace and justice work included the Peace Booth in Raleigh every year at the NC State Fair, Lutheran Peace Fellowship, NC Council of Churches, Moral Mondays, volunteering countless hours, and helping those less fortunate than her. Judy was a devoted Lutheran and spent endless hours talking with friends about what it meant to be a faithful follower of Jesus. She also enjoyed being part of a church community.
Judy is survived by her sister, Connie Chaplin, her daughter, Aimee Occhetti, her son Armand Occhetti, Jr., stepdaughters, Jeniffer Klohr, Beth Frye, and Denise McElveen. She has five grandchildren, one who predeceased her, five great grandchildren, and a niece and nephew.
A memorial service will be held on August 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27607 and contributions may be made to the Church.