Judith M. Rahaim

Judith (Judi) Mary Rahaim of East Longmeadow, MA died peacefully on November 8, 2018 in her home, surrounded by loved ones, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 8, 1944 in Springfield, MA, the daughter of the late Henry and Rita (Burns) Hesse.  She was predeceased by her brother James Hesse.  She leaves her beloved husband of 50 years, Arthur Joseph Rahaim, and son, Dr. Michael Brandon Rahaim, the light of her life, and his wife, Kori, of Cambridge, MA. 

She leaves several cousins, including a devoted, special cousin Donna Kenison of Eagle River, AK.  She also leaves brothers and sisters-in-law (to whom Judi was a sister): Nancy and Charles DeWitte of Lunenburg, MA, John Rahaim and Kathleen Squires of Hadley, MA, Mary and Wayne Tinsley of Washington, NC, and Madalyn and Edward Callaway of Suwanee, GA.

She was so loved by her nieces and nephews: Dawn Marie and John Gillis, Drs. Joseph and Heather Forkey, Ann Marie and Rick Koivu, Anthony and Marion Rahaim, Theodore Rahaim, Jennifer and Bill Avery, and Gregory Tinsley.  Judi was adored by her many great nieces and nephews.  She always made them feel so special. 

Judi graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA, class of 1962.  She served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1965 in San Antonio, TX where she was crowned Miss Lackland Air Force Base.  Upon discharge, Judi returned to Springfield, where she earned her LPN diploma and worked for many years in various hospitals, schools and medical offices. 

For 50 years, Judi and her husband Artie ran the Christmas Tree Lot at 546 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA where she was well known for her floral creations, and was affectionately called “The Bow Lady,” making beautiful handmade bows for seasonal plants and Christmas kissing balls and wreaths.  Over the 50 years, she delighted in visiting with her customers, many of whom became treasured friends. 

She was a Eucharistic minister at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in East Longmeadow, MA. Judi always had a smile and a big hug for everyone she met!  She was kind and loving and a blessing to all her family and friends.  She will be deeply missed. 

Visiting hours will be held at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home at 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow on Tuesday November 13, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00pm.  Funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 beginning at 9:45 AM at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA at 11:00am. Committal services and military honors will take place at 1:00pm at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. For more information, please visit www.forastiere.com