Sr. Judith of God, a beloved diocesan Hermitess, passed away peacefullyon January 11, 2025, at the age of 100.

Born, Mary Marguerite on July 30, 1924, in New York City, to her parentsJoseph and Teresa Galban Dowd. Her family moved to Fort Lauderdalewhen she was a young child. There she attended St. Anthony’s CatholicSchool. During her college years Sr. Judith attended Embry-Riddle Schoolof Aviation in Coral Gables.

Her early life took an adventurous turn when, at the age of 19, shebecame a flight instructor for U.S. Navy cadets during World War II, anexperience that shaped her strong, independent spirit. In 1946, at the age of 22, Sr. Judith entered theCarmelite Monastery in Morristown, NJ, and in 1949, she was part of a new foundation in New Brunswick, NJ.

She was drawn to the call of missionary work and, in 1960, went to assist at a Carmel in Port Moresby, NewGuinea. In 1978, Sr. Judith transitioned to the eremetical life, becoming a hermittess in Erave, SouthernHighlands, Papua New Guinea. Her later years in Papua New Guinea were marked by her solitude and prayer,hidden in Christ (Col 3:3).

Sr. Judith returned to the United States in 1987, feeling called to continue living the life of a Hermitess with aCarmelite spirituality. In May 1988, she was accepted as a Hermit in the Diocese of Palm Beach by BishopThomas V. Daily and professed public vows in his presence at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola onSeptember 17, 1988. Sr. Judith settled in a small hermitage on the grounds of Sacred Heart Catholic Church inOkeechobee, Florida, and attended St. Teresa Catholic Church in Okeechobee, FL. There she lived out theremainder of her life in quiet contemplation, intercession, and devotion. 

Sr. Judith was a woman of profound prayer and was deeply committed to the people she served, from herdays with the naval cadets to the monasteries in New Jersey, on the mission field in Papua New Guinea, or inthe solitude of her hermitage here in the Diocese of Palm Beach. Her life was a testament to the beauty offollowing God's calling, no matter where it leads. Sr. Judith is survived by the spiritual families she was a partof through the years and spiritual children whose lives she touched through her decades of service. She waspredeceased by her parents and her sister Elise M. Dowd who died in October 2012.

A Funeral Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at the Noreen McKeenResidence – Main Chapel, 315 S Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Prior to the Mass, the Rosary will beprayed. Fr. Daniel Daza-Jaller will celebrate the Mass on behalf of Most Reverend Bishop Gerald Barbarito.Following the Mass, Sr. Judith's body will be interred at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Royal PalmBeach.

Sr. Judith will be remembered for her selfless dedication to God’s work, her compassion, and her deep love forthe Church.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of all the faithfuldeparted, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.