Obituary of Judith B. Gallicchio

Judith B. Gallicchio, of Miami Gardens, Florida, died June 8th, 2024 after a long illness, with her long-time companion, Ronald Napolitano by her side. She was the widow of Anthony Gallicchio of New Haven. Judith was born December 20, 1935, in Niantic, Connecticut, the daughter of Herman Bendfeldt and Elizabeth Margaret Bendfeldt Bechard who predeceased her. She attended Williams Memorial Institute in New London, CT before moving to Hartford CT where she worked in the insurance industry. She settled in Hamden, CT where she volunteered at the Centerville elementary school and at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was also active in the local PTA and the Hamden Plains Methodist church. She worked for many years at Reilly’s restaurant in Hamden before relocating to Miami in 1978 with her husband Anthony. During her time in Miami she continued her volunteer hospital work and before retiring she had been employed by several Miami restaurants including the Hawaiian Isle and the Diplomat. Judith’s wit and engaging style endeared her to her customers, coworkers and neighbors. She enjoyed spending time with family especially at the annual Bendfeldt family reunions and loved being near the ocean. Surviving her are her son, William B. Machurat and his wife Kathy of Amesbury, MA, two grandchildren, Jessica Oeltze and her husband Marcel of Trier Germany, and Ethan W. Machurat and his wife Casey of New York, NY along with two great-grandchildren Yannik and Emma Oeltze. She is also survived by her sister Betty Ann Collins and her husband Ray of Vienna, VA, two brothers, Peter Bendfeldt and his wife Joan of Waterford, CT and Seth Bendfeldt and his wife Melissa of Montvale, CT along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Kendrick Bendfeldt, Herman Bendfeldt and Stephen Bendfeldt and four sisters Florence Frazier, Dian Anderson, Teresa Campbell and Marlene Douglas. A graveside memorial will be held on July 27th at 9am at Union Cemetery, in Niantic CT. There are no calling hours. Please keep the Gallicchio family in your thoughts and prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Gallicchio family with the arrangements.