General Information
Full Name: Judith E. Theran
Date of Death: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Judith Ellen Theran (née Bassewitz), age 84 of Montvale, NJ, passed away on April 3, 2025.
Beloved wife of Mark for 54 years. Devoted mother of Elizabeth and David (m. Elizabeth Abbate) and doting grandmother to grand-pets Hudson and Betty. Loving sister of Jane Bassewitz Bunke. Was predeceased by her mother Alice (née Sauber) and her father Jules, and beloved grand-dog Griffin. She also leaves behind nieces Laura Jonik and Alexandra Theran and nephews Louis, Noah, and Adam Theran.
Judith graduated from Connecticut College and obtained her master’s degree at Columbia Teachers College. She followed her lifelong passion for French language and culture by teaching French at the high-school level, followed by a stint working with diplomats’ families at the United Nations. After marrying Mark in 1970, she remained involved in teaching French both privately and intermittently through the public schools into her 70s. Many of her students came to her for more than French lessons—they found her a sympathetic and caring listener for all of their concerns, academic and otherwise—and some came back to visit her for years after they graduated.
Judith adored world travel, movies, and fashion in all its forms. She was the OG “gym rat,” but she also loved to cook—her signature dishes over the years ranged from roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, rack of lamb with mint jelly, shepherd’s pie, and her famous pumpkin bread. Thanksgiving was the whole family’s favorite holiday, and Judith always welcomed family into the kitchen to help, bake, and clean up after a glorious feast.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Beth El Cemetery, 735 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652. Celebration of life to follow at Thrive, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale NJ 07645.
Donations in memory of Judith may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 272-3900 or https://www.alz.org/. The family is particularly grateful for your support of this organization’s efforts to combat Alzheimer’s, a cruel disease that affected both Judith and her father. We all look forward to a day when Alzheimer’s and other dementias are an unmourned relic of the past.
Service Information
Sunday, April 6, 2025
2:00 PM
Service At:
Beth El Cemetery
735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652
Though I was not a direct friend of Momma Theran, I was acquainted with her through her AMAZING daughter Liz. I will always remember the kind word she always had for me, the enthusiastic and warm hug she always gave me whenever she was in DC and our paths happen to cross. She took an interest in me, and both my daughters and never hesitated to ask after them. Though I was a light and novice French speaker I never dared to initiate a conversation in one! Momma Theran, thank you for Liz whom I love like a sister, thank you for your warmth and kindness toward me and my daughters. Thank you for your infectious full bellied laughs. Fly high, travel these realms without pain, or burden. You ARE loved, and will be missed. 💗
My deepest sympathies to all of you! You have all been on my mind and everyone here sends their love and thoughts. Especially Wally. Big hugs!
Judy was just as kind as she was interested in everyone she knew. We are so lucky to have had her in the family. My deepest sympathy to Mark and family. Judy will be sorely missed.