Judith Staffo

Judith R. Staffo, 80, of Benton, Arkansas formerly of Ilion, New York, passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2021, at Amberwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  She was born January 5, 1941 in Fort Plain, New York to Robert and Leona (Swartz) Becker.

Judith was educated in St. Johnsville, New York schools and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta and her Master of Education Degree in Reading from SUNY Cortland.  A lifelong educator, she taught elementary and high school in both Central New York and Chicago, Illinois schools for 32 years, with 22 of those years in the Mohawk, New York school system. Judith was of Lutheran faith and enjoyed teaching Sunday school to her young children at Trinity Lutheran Church in Herkimer, New York.

She was united in marriage to Vincent R. Staffo on July 15, 1967, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in St. Johnsville, New York, and together they shared a devoted, loving marriage for over 54 years.

Upon her retirement in 2001, her greatest joy in life was found in traveling to spend time with her children and their families.  A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Judith enjoyed watching her children, and later her grandchildren, grow, and often shared her love of crafts and cooking with them.  Her selfless nature was evident to everyone that met her and she will be deeply missed by all those that loved her.

She leaves behind her husband, Vincent Staffo, of Benton, Arkansas; son Steven Staffo and his wife Jean of Scottsdale, Arizona; daughter Kathy Farmer and her husband Timothy of Benton, Arkansas; four grandchildren Emily and Michael Staffo and Taylor and Connor Farmer;  her brother Phil Becker and his wife Judy of Fort Plain, New York; niece Susan Fredericks and her husband Noel of Schenectady, New York and an uncle, Alfred Florian, of Fort Plain, New York along with many cousins and special friend, Barb Cormia, of Ilion, New York.

The family would like to thank the staff at Amberwood for all the wonderful care they provided Judith during the last two years, as well as Arkansas Hospice for their compassion and assistance in the past year.

A graveside service will take place at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 31, at Forest Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ilion Free Public Library Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.