Judy Lentine Mcmahon

Judy L. McMahon, 76, entered into eternal rest Friday, October 1, 2021. Her Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston. Inurnment will be private. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Wednesday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway. The family requests all in attendance to wear a mask and be vaccinated.

Judy was born on March 30, 1945 in McKinney Texas. She was the eldest daughter of a Texas beauty, Ruth Woolbright, and a dashing Italian American Air Force pilot, Michael Lentine. The Lentines resided in places near and far, including Sumter, SC and Japan.

Judy graduated early from Winthrop University and received a full scholarship to pursue her Master’s in East Asian Studies from Florida State University. She then went on to marry her high school sweetheart, Wells Cone, and taught High School for seven years in Columbia, SC. After the passing of Wells, Judy went on to pursue her dream of becoming a Family Court Judge by earning her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Following law school, Judy almost joined the Peace Corps, but instead she came to Charleston to marry James (Jim) Bridges. Upon her arrival in Charleston, Judy was an assistant attorney for the City of Charleston and became a Municipal Court Judge. Judy realized her dream when she was elected Family Court Judge (with the help of many dear friends and colleagues). This was a position she would continue to enjoy for 33 years. Of special note, Judy was the first woman elected Judge to any court above the magistrate level in South Carolina. Additionally, she accomplished this feat while pregnant with her daughter Sarah. Judy was passionate about helping families and children through her work. She loved the people she worked with in Family Court and the South Carolina Bar.

On Valentine’s Day, 2005, Judy married her husband Jerry. Judy loved her family and friends, a good party, dancing, cooking, delicious food and wine, art, gardening, her Book Club, living in downtown Charleston, the Hibernian Society, traveling, and arranging flowers for friends, family and Grace Church.

Judy is survived by her husband Gerald (Jerry) McMahon, Jr., daughter Sarah Bridges Hales (husband Kevin), grandson George James, and stepdaughter Maire McMahon Davit (husband Lou). Judy is also survived by sisters Shirley Chandler, Carmel Clements, Karyn Powell; brothers Michael and John Lentine; stepmother Elaine Lentine; and many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and 2 Godchildren.

Judy will be greatly missed and with us always.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843)766-1365.