Judith Anne Pantano- Byerly (Judy) passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Accent Care Hospice at the age of 80 after a long battle with a brain meningioma. She was born on January 8th, 1946, to Joseph and Anne Pantano in Philadelphia, PA., and attended Archbishop Prendergast school for girls in Drexel Hill Pennsylvania with her little sister, Janice.
Upon graduation, she attended St. Joseph University and modeled. She loved working at The Philadelphia Bulletin and treasured the time she interviewed Gregory Peck. Eventually, she met the love of her life, Bill Byerly. Together they travelled across the country by car and started their family. Although they loved the beautiful pacific coast, Judy yearned to be back close to family and they settled in Delaware.
Judy loved being a mother to Mark, Michelle and Billy (Will) as she cooked gourmet meals, the most treasured being her homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Sadly, this was also the time of her first brain tumor. Being a young mother, she fought hard to recover and set an example of determination and grace for her children. A few years later, they welcomed baby Jamie (James) into their clan.
Judy was an avid reader and self-educator. She volunteered at Holy Angels Church and taught CCD. She met lifelong friends through her business with Avon. She ventured into part-time jobs so she could continue mentoring her beloved children, and then took several different full-time jobs with audiologists, law firms and then several positions at the University of Delaware. She loved the student interactions she had at the English Language Institute, the Biology Department, and as the program coordinator for Medical Scholars. She met wonderful colleagues who became some of her best friends. In 2004, she retired from the University of Delaware.
Judy treasured times with her friends and family traveling to art shows, poetry slams, and shopping. She loved interior decorating, puzzles, reading, hosting holidays, and crafts. She had a knack for picking out the most thoughtful gifts you didn’t know you wanted. Even at her most trying moments, and after four more brain tumors, she thought beyond herself and wanted to submit awards to her caregivers.
Judy is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bill Byerly: her children, Mark Byerly, Michelle Pergeorelis (Mike), Will Byerly, James Byerly; and grandchildren, Michael Pergeorelis, Gabriella Pergeorelis, Clementine Byerly, and Wren Byerly; her sister, Janice Dewees, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Judith will be held Monday, August 10th, 2026, at Holy Angels Church, 82 Possum Park Rd., Newark, Delaware 19711. Visitation begins at 9:00 am and Mass begins at 10:00 am, followed by burial at All Saints Cemetery.
