Rhoda A. Pugh, (aka “Judy”) age 60, of Naples, FL passed away peacefully on Thursday May 29th 2025. She was born October 15th 1964, in Elmira, NY to the late Crawford Lee and Hattie Mae (Emanuel) Pugh. She is predeceased by her loving wife Mitzi T. Scott, sister Jacquelyn (Pugh) Hills, sister Mary (Pugh) Dumas, niece Danya (Hills) Mckinnis, niece Ana Mercedes (Dumas) Anyaogu, and nephew Rheims Dumas. She is survived by sister Barbara Pugh of Plant City, FL, sister Esther (Pugh) Jones of Monroe, NC, brother Harvey (May Ann) Pugh of Elmira, NY, sister Cindy (Joseph) Williams of Wellsburg, NY, and sister Lisa (Kenneth) Narde of Elmira, NY, many nieces and nephews and beloved cats Jack and Stella.
Rhoda worked for many years as a production stage manager with theater companies in Elmira, NY, Naples, NY, and Naples, FL. She was also a kind and giving person, loved and admired by everyone. She was an organ donor and 60 people will benefit from her donations. As her niece, Stacey said; “Our Judy continues to help and make people happy.”
Other family members shared these cherished thoughts:
Barbara: I remember a time when Judy came to my house for a visit. She noticed I didn’t have that many glasses in the cupboard. She excused herself, went to her car and brought out a box of glasses. That’s Judy, a very generous person.
Esther: Going to miss you, Judy. I’m especially going to miss the time we call each other for our birthdays. Used to laugh at me when I called you on October 15th, and 17th because I couldn’t remember exactly what day. I’m gonna miss that.
Cindy: Judy used to say tongue-in-cheek, “My family calls me Judy. My friends call me Rhoda.” Judy was very intelligent, talented, loyal, honest, straight-forward, and funny. Most importantly she loved deeply and was deeply loved.
Friends from the theater shared that Rhoda will be remembered for her strong organizational skills, dry sense of humor, and a 1000 watt smile. Many who worked with her will have special memories, but the one many will have in common is her admonition to every cast; “Always remember to smile!… AND DON’T SUCK!”
Friends are planning a memorial at a later date at the theater where Rhoda worked for over 15 years so everyone could share stories and say goodbye.
She lived life to the fullest and she will be greatly missed.
Carol smith
May 30, 2025, 7:39 pm
I just heard about u leaving this earth & joining Mitsy & God. I enjoyed working with u all the years we did 15 to be exact! I’m terribly saddened to heart this because u were a driving force for the players. Ur at peace now & I hope & pray to r pain & worry free. I was just remembering ur song it’s Rhoda Pugh Day!
Love u Carol Smith
Francelia Newman
May 31, 2025, 1:57 pm
I was so saddened to hear about the passing of my dear cousin Rhoda…we called her Judy! My sincere condolences go out to the family but most of all to her village of friends! I can tell she was truly loved!
Love
Cousin Francelia Emanuel-Newman
Becki Tengstrand
June 2, 2025, 7:03 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about Rhoda’s passing. She could always make me laugh! I’ll never forget meeting her in seventh grade. In glad she loved her work and had Mitzi to love her.
Cindy Pugh-Williams
June 6, 2025, 11:50 pm
Judy didn’t front. What you saw is what you got. She didn’t suffer fools and she was very honest, as in right to one’s face honest, about how she felt. In my book, that’s a quality to be respected. And she loved fiercely. On a very personal note, in the heat of separation struggles with my ex-husband, it was Judy that both defended and protected me when I had to confront him. She did this at a time when we were at odds with each other, as happens sometimes with sisters, but her love made itself known when it counted the most.
Judy was very intelligent, talented, loyal, honest, straight forward and funny. Most importantly she loved deeply and was deeply loved and will I will mourn her death for the rest of my life.
Rhonda D’Urso
June 11, 2025, 2:20 am
I’m so sad to hear of Rhoda’s passing. I knew her from high school and remember her as a warm, funny and loving friends. Rest is peace Rhoda!