Judy was born on July 19, 1948 in Newport News, VA to the late Ernestine Creech and Andrew Hacskaylo. She was a graduate of Meredith College with degrees in art and elementary education. Judy devoted over 40 years of teaching elementary students at Winecoff Elementary School, Cannon School (formerly Cabarrus Academy), and Davidson Day School. Passionate about her community, Judy served as preschool director at All Saint’s Episcopal Church, where she also volunteered on the vestry, helped the nursery during worship and organized several church retreats to the Kanuga Conference Center. Judy was involved in the start up of CVAN , an organization for battered women.

She is survived by her husband, David Abernethy, of Concord; daughters, Anna A. Douglas and husband Jason, of Raleigh, Ellie Abernethy of Knoxville, TN, and fiancé Soeren Ollhoff; sister, Tina Pfeiffer and husband Fred, of Concord; brother, Charles A. Hacskaylo and wife Et, of Asheboro; grandchildren, Parker and Hayden Douglas, of Raleigh.