Jude James

Jude James passed away June 21, 2025 at Harper Hospice House, Stuart, FL.

She was born Judith Hanson in Peekskill, NY, August 25, 1948, the daughter of Cleonice and Joseph Hanson. She graduated from Yorktown High School in 1966. Jude was a lover of baseball, books and dogs, a brilliant, witty and studied liberal, a champion for the less privileged and underserved. Over a span of twenty years, Jude managed a non-profit program at Tufts University, Boston. She tracked and evaluated the effects of crack addicted mothers and their newborns. She earned her master’s degree, and with skillful negotiations, Jude wrote and won renewable grants needed to fund many important non-profit projects. Jude retired in 2015, the Executive Director of Maverick Landing Community Services where she implemented life skills programs for at-risk teenagers.

She leaves her brother Bob Hanson and his wife Rochelle of Port St. Lucie, FL. Also her sister-in-law Cary Hanson of Great Falls, VA, her nephew Jeremy Hanson of Port St. Lucie, FL, her nephew Derek Hanson of Burlington, VT, her niece Marcy Morgan and her husband Donny of Essex Junction, VT. She leaves her grandniece Mirabelle Morgan, grandnephews Robert Hanson and Jameson Morgan. Jude leaves her long time friend John Keys of Boston. Jude cherished her friends and family in New York, Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. Jude was preceded in death by her mother Cleonice Hanson, 1990, father Joseph Hanson, 2014, and her brother Richard Hanson, 2016.

Thank you to Jude’s dear neighborhood friends, Maritza Ramos, Diana Lariosa and Glenda Saavedra who cooked, visited, cared for her dog, and assisted Jude countless ways during her long illness. Jude leaves the love of her life, her little rescue dog Ruby and the neighborhood dog park where she and friends met. She leaves her New York Yankees to never find a more loyal fan.

Thank you to the staff of Treasure Coast Hospice for their expert care.

Haisley Funeral Home, Port St. Lucie, FL is in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation, but a celebration of Jude’s life will be held at a later date.