Judith (Judy) Atspins Petrofsky, 75, of Lebanon, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Born on September 25, 1949, in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Rita (Rectinwald) Atspins. In 1976, she married the love of her life, the late John M. Petrofsky. Together, they shared 40 years of marriage before his passing in 2017. Judy earned a bachelor's degree from St. Bonaventure University in Elementary Education, followed by a master’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, where she specialized in early childhood development. Over the course of 37 years, she devoted her career to education, working with children from kindergarten through sixth grade, and dedicating herself to teaching English as a second language. Judy's passion for teaching extended far beyond the classroom. From 1971 to 1973, she served in the Peace Corps as an educator in Africa—an experience she counted among her proudest achievements. In 1989, she was recognized in The New York Times for her impactful work with refugee children, and for the 2005-2006 school year she was honored as Teacher of the Year at Robert J. O’Brien School in East Hartford, receiving East Hartford’s district-wide Teacher of the Year award. She will be remembered as a loving and compassionate woman who dedicated her life to educating and uplifting others, as well as rescuing numerous homeless animals. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched, both personally and professionally. Judy is survived by her beloved daughter, Bethany Petrofsky; her sister Carol Marchigiano and her partner Bill Grabek; her sister-in-law Linda Petrofsky and brother-in-law Danny; and her nieces and nephews: John Petrofsky, Aaron Tupper and his wife Suzanne with their children Dennis, Justin, Tyler, and Zoey; Kristi Hords with her children Richie, Rebecca, and Joshua; and Jason Tupper and his wife Bree with their children Sarah and Zachary. She also leaves behind numerous extended family members and dear friends. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lebanon, 67 W Town St, Lebanon, CT 06249. To leave a message of condolence or share a memory, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com