Judy Ellen Reardon ’80

Judy Ellen Reardon ’80 passed away December 16, 2022, following a long illness. She is survived by her sister, N.H. State Rep. Patricia Cornell and her husband, Rik, as well as her cat Huey and many cousins. Judy was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on February 12, 1958, the daughter of Patrick and Viola (Vergas) Reardon. In 1976 she graduated from Manchester High School Central, where she was an editor of the award-winning Little Green newspaper. After earning her A.B. at Dartmouth, she went on to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She returned to Manchester and became an associate at the McLane, Graf, Raulerson and Middleton law firm. At the same time she served two terms as a state representative. Her career in public service included working as an attorney with the N.H. public defender and as the executive director of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Judy helped reshape New Hampshire’s political landscape. She provided advice and counsel to the N.H. Democratic Party, helping develop strategies to transform the state’s political leanings, as well as to many N.H. Democratic candidates. She also played a significant part in the Democratic Party’s Voter Protection Program. Much of her career was spent working for Jeanne Shaheen in the N.H. Senate, governor’s office, and eventually U.S. Senate.