Judy Gallo Steele, age 82, of Lenoir passed away peacefully Monday, October 9, 2023 at her residence. She was born July 24, 1941 to the late Russell and Ruby Gordon Gallo. In addition to her parets she is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Steele; one sister, Nancy Becker; and one sister-in-law, Jeanette Hodge.

Judy was born in Walla Walla, Washington where her family owned a farm. She was the oldest of seven sisters and loved each of them dearly. Judy attended Seattle University prior to becoming a flight attendant with Continental Airlines. During a trip to Hawaii to visit her family, she met her husband and was swept off her feet by his southern accent.

After traveling the world with her husband and two daughters, they settled down in Miami, Florida. For more than twenty years, she was a professional photographer and loved her work. She enjoyed flying lessons, founded the Horsemanship Badge for the Girl Scouts of America, and held various positions on the board of Plantation Acres Saddle Club, a regional horse show organization.  When she and her husband retired in 1995, they moved to his hometown of Lenoir, North Carolina and built a house together.  She was very active in the Caldwell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for ten years. She founded Caldwell TEA Party and was heavily involved in several other political organizations. Here she became a political force in her own right and became a political "must know" for local and state candidates. She was a member of the DAR and a patriot who loved her country and wanted to share that love with everyone.

Judy was the kind of person who could light up the room with her friendly upbeat demeanor we called sunshine. She treated everyone she met as a lifelong friend. She will be forever loved and missed by those who knew her.

Those left to cherish her memory include two daughters, Gina Parker of Florida, and Christine Gates and husband Brad of Lenoir; four sisters, Rusan Costa of Nevada, Pamela Schneider of Texas, Debra Manuel of Texas, and Candice Seymour and husband Phillip of California; three beloved grandchildren, Alexandria Sexton and husband Adam of Lenoir, and Courtney and Gavin Parker, both of Florida; two great-grandchildren, Anderson Dominic Sexton and Sol Sexton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Enrique Gonzalez officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Amorem Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be left www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Steele family.