Obituary of Juliene Orlando

Juliene “Judy” Frances Orlando, 82, was a lifetime resident of Peekskill and died peacefully on February 27, 2024. She was born on July 15, 1941, and was the beloved daughter of Idora (Woods) Vance and Adolph Eich.

Judy was a proud graduate of Peekskill High School Class of 1959. She loved her alma mater so much that she was a member of the PHS Class Reunion Committee and enjoyed planning and decorating for the reunions for many years.

Judy married her high school sweetheart, Douglas Jessup, and they had 3 children together; Douglas, Kelly-Ann, and Kenneth.

Judy worked in the restaurant business for most of her life. Judy worked many years as a waitress at Sorrento’s Restaurant in Peekskill and later at the Paradise Restaurant in Verplanck. She finished her career at Forever Yours Florist in Peekskill where she fulfilled her creative passion with flowers. 

While working at Sorrento’s, Judy met Robert “Bob” Orlando. Bob was passionate about great food, a real “foodie”, and frequented Sorrento’s often. Bob took notice of the blonde hair beauty, and they fell in love and married on April 12, 1975. Judy became stepmother to Bob’s four children; Marci, Bobby, Michael, and Lisa. 

They built a beautiful life together in their new home on John Cava Lane. They shared a love for their dogs Smokey and Thumper and later their Samoyed dogs; the apple of Bob’s eye, Charlie, and the apple of Judy’s eye, Akita King.

Judy loved going to various art and craft fairs, loved shopping and decorating, loved the color purple, loved angels, and loved being the biggest cheerleader at all her grandchildren’s events: football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, dance and equestrian events.

Judy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt and was known for her love and passion for her family.

Judy is survived by her loving children: son, Douglas (Coleen) Jessup and daughter, Kelly-Ann Stevens; stepchildren: Marci (Norm) Freimark, Bobby Orlando, Michael Orlando and Lisa Mowbray; sister: Geraldine “Gerri” Tuttle and brother: William “Billy” (Marianne) Eich.

Judy was predeceased by her loving son, Kenneth Jessup, in November 2022 and her loving husband, Robert Orlando, in June 2016.

Judy is also survived by her 11 dear grandchildren: Lindsay (Matthew) Stevens, Robert (Marriessa) Stevens, and Jamie Stevens; Corinne and Danielle Jessup; Tiffany (Jon) Gabrus, Derek (Kylie) Bernard and Chase (Alexis) Bernard; Miquel (Mikael) Cohn and Simone (Darrel) Lemieux; Bianca Orlando and predeceased by her grandson, Zachary Orlando.

Judy is also survived by her 11 beloved great-grandchildren; Monroe Stevens; Brinkley and Sadie Bernard; Niko Quinn, Colton, and Austin Bernard; Ari, Elora &; Lilah Cohn; Charlotte Lemieux; Link Upthegrove and may Judy protect and carry the soul of her new great-granddaughter, Lily Jo Stevens, due this Spring and all the great-grandchildren that may follow.

Judy is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Judy will be remembered for her exceptional gourmet cooking skills, her creativity for making the smallest things into something special, her celebration of holidays and events, her meticulous detail in decorating and caring for her home, and most of all her deep love and dedication to her family.

Visitation will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home, 414 Washington Street, Peekskill, NY on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Visitation will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home, 414 Washington Street, Peekskill, NY on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, the funeral procession will then form and pass her former residence en route to the Church of the Assumption.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Assumption, 920 1st Street, Peekskill, NY on Tuesday, March 5, at 11:30 am

Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery.