Judith G. Areaux

Judith Areaux , 84, of Nicholasville, Ky. passed peacefully on September 5, 2025. She was born on November 18, 1940, in Oak Park, Illinois to George and Earline Knell. Judy began her nursing career in 1975 at Edgemont Nursing Home in Cynthiana, Ky. She obtained her LPN at Central Kentucky Vocational Technical School in 1979. After moving to Lexington in 1980, she began her 23-year career at Good Samaritan Hospital and was awarded the Medical Staff Excellence in Practice Award by the hospital in 1993. Judith lived her life by the Golden Rule, always treating others with kindness, fairness and honesty. She was an independent, strong, unpretentious woman who valued humility and welcomed everyone she met. Judy had a gift for plainly naming nonsense and noticing what might brighten someone’s day, finding joy in simple gestures. She would often arrive at family gatherings with a little “treasure” she had found for each of us. She was an avid sports fan, always with an unwavering loyalty to UK Sports and the underdog. She leaves behind more than her family and friends; she leaves a way of living that reminds us to speak plainly, to live humbly, to give generously, and to always look for the joy in life’s small moments. Judy is survived by her younger sisters, Jorjene Ream and Cynthis Forseth both of Waupaca, WI, her three children, Andy (Valerie) Areaux of Nicholasville, Ky., Tammy (Gerry) Vidal of Nicholasville, Ky., and Jennifer Hollon of Richmond, Ky; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents and her special Aunt, Esther Libby.

The family will hold a Private Family Service on September 20, 2025. Those wishing to honor Judy’s life may make a gift to Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice).

This obituary was lovingly submitted by the family. “If there ever comes a day where we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever”. Arrangements are under the direction of Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Areaux family and friends.