Judith L (Hammar) Sbrogna, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and teacher, passed away on December 5, 2023 at age 75 in Berlin, MA. She formerly lived in Shrewsbury for 37 years. She died peacefully at home with her family by her side after a 2-year journey with cancer. She grew up and lived in Paxton with her parents and six siblings. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Worcester State University.
For 23 years Judith worked as a reading specialist and a certified dyslexia therapist at The Bancroft School in Worcester. She was honored to devote her career to helping students learn to read and succeed. Although she loved teaching, her most important and fulfilling role was being a mom, and is one she performed with great patience, generosity, and grace. Long before she became ill, she would tell her four children, “do not be sad when I die, you have given me so much enlightenment, entertainment, comfort and joy, that I shall die a happy woman.”
Judith leaves her 4 beloved children; Ralph F Sbrogna, Jr (partner Susan O’Connor) of Austin, TX; Dr. Kristen A Sbrogna (Jonathan Christianson) of Berkeley, CA, and Kennebunk, ME; Derek A Sbrogna (Sarah) of Austin, TX and Matthew B Sbrogna (Abigail) of Arlington, MA. She leaves 4 grandchildren: Terra Wren, Wilder and Davin Christianson and Benjamin Sbrogna. She leaves sisters Susan Paquette (Edward), Joanne McCaffrey (William Floring) and Darlene Soucy (Brian). She is predeceased by her parents Lillian and Herbert, and brothers, David, John and Stephen Hammar. She leaves sisters-in-law Sylvia, Ana and Marie Hammar. She is the former spouse of Ralph Sbrogna.
Her family, colleagues and students will forever be grateful for her kind and nurturing care. She loved family visits with her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader, enjoyed art museums, music and theater. She will be remembered for her quiet, gentle nature.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Susan Zweizig, Chief of Gynecological Oncology at UMass Memorial for her excellent and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to [email protected], www.detectogether.org/donate or bancroftschool.org/give.
Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.