Rose Marie "Judy" Scherer, an extraordinary woman whose life was marked by adventure, intellect, and an unwavering commitment to others, passed away in Maitland, Florida on March 24th, 2025, after a long 12-year struggle with vascular dementia. She was 86 years old.

Judy leaves behind her loving husband, Roy Scherer; her daughters, Jessica Schlenk Guthrie (Vance) and Diana Schlenk Ades; and her cherished grandchildren, Tristan Ades and Josephine Ades. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Winnie Stretton, and her first husband, John J. Schlenk, Jr.

Born in 1938 in Manchester, England, Judy grew up during the challenging war years, embraced by the love of her beloved grandmother "Ninny" and her cousin Tony Berkovitch, who was like a brother to her. Judy excelled academically, graduating with honors in Geography from Nottingham University. Her academic brilliance, coupled with her fluency in French and Spanish, led her to test for the English Foreign Service—a highly selective program where only the top candidates were chosen. Her success in this rigorous process was a testament to her sharp mind and determination, earning her a spot in London.

Her adventurous spirit quickly emerged when she opted to leave the Foreign Service after two years, seeking something far more exciting than the offered position in Paris. She moved to Lima, Peru, where she taught at the San Sylvestre School, a bilingual institution. From there, her passion for global exploration took her to Barbados, where she met and married John J. Schlenk, Jr. Together, they moved to Orlando, Florida in 1965, where they had two daughters, Jessica and Diana. Judy's love and devotion to her family were central to everything she did, and she took immense pride in guiding her daughters through life.

Judy's career was as dynamic as her passions. She and John founded one of the first travel agencies in Central Florida, Caribbean Cruises, which catered to cruises and foreign travel. She was deeply involved in several organizations, including the Cosmopolitan Club, the English Speaking Union, Women in Travel, and Alliance Française. Judy's love of travel never ceased—she circled the globe for two years with her family, experiencing the cultures of distant lands, from New Zealand to India, and never stopped exploring. As a tour guide, she shared her vast knowledge with countless travelers, bringing the world's wonders closer to those around her.

In her later years, Judy married Roy Scherer, and together they created 35 years of treasured memories. Their shared love of travel, history, Toastmasters, and British TV shows brought them even closer. They even founded "The Hystorical Players," an acting troupe where Judy's talent shone brightly. With her signature red hair and unmistakable English accent, she brought history to life on stage, most notably as a convincing Queen Elizabeth I.

A natural teacher, Judy was driven by a profound curiosity and love for people. Whether as a professional educator or a volunteer teaching English to Spanish-speaking and Haitian adults and children, her passion for teaching was evident. She loved sharing her love of reading, music, art, poetry, and travel with everyone she met, inspiring those around her to live with curiosity and joy. Her vast knowledge, rooted in years of avid reading, made her a wellspring of wisdom and a friend to all.

Judy's life was a testament to the joy of experiencing life to its fullest. She exemplified the importance of kindness, intellectual curiosity, and caring for others, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, May 2nd at 3:00 PM at the University Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 11648 McCulloch Rd, Orlando. (Please consider wearing blue and/or lavender, her favourite colors.) An "Afternoon Tea" reception will follow. The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person. ( https://www.youtube.com/@UUUFMedia/streams )

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Central Florida Community Arts ( www.cfcarts.com/give ), supporting the programming that Judy deeply loved and enjoyed.