Judith Ann Snell (Lachman), a former longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on March 18, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 63. Born on March 16, 1944 in Van Nuys to Joseph and Virginia Snell, Judy graduated from North Hollywood High. At the age of 20 she met Richard Lachman of Pacific Palisades. They married shortly afterward and moved to a house on Enchanted Way in the Marquez Knolls neighborhood. Two years later she gave birth to Lori Kay Lachman, and two years later their son Douglas William Lachman was born. In the late 1960s, Earl Lachman, who had developed the Marquez Knolls neighborhood with his four brothers, gave Richard and Judy a lot on Tellem Drive, where they built their own house. Ten years later they built their dream house on El Hito Place, where they resided until their divorce in 1983. Judy then moved to a condo in the Palisades before deciding to return her roots in the San Fernando Valley. While raising two young children, Judy became deeply involved with the Palisades community. As a member of the Junior Women’s Club, she helped with the annual recipes book and other community activities. Judy helped organize the town’s Fourth of July parade for many years and was the first woman to head PAPA (the Palisades Americanism Parade Association). She was a multiple winner of the annual Chili Cook Off, and she and Richard volunteered every year at the YMCA Christmas tree lot and helped out with Y swim team events. She was also a co-leader of the local Girl Scouts with Claudia Tatum and a member of Las Doradas. After leaving the Palisades, Judy moved to Studio City and then to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she became very ill and returned to Studio City to be closer to friends and family. While living in Studio City for many years, she took care of her elderly father, Joseph Snell, who passed away on November 18, 2001. One month later, Judy’s longtime companion and dear friend Richard Lachman passed away. Shortly afterward she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but continued to live in Studio City until she could no longer live alone. After moving to San Francisco to live with her daughter Lori, she moved back to North Hills to live with her son Douglas, before moving into a senior facility. Judy was an avid gardener and an excellent cook who also loved the outdoors and the ocean. She was a great friend and was devoted to her family, who treasured her as a fun-loving mother and grandmother. She is survived by her sister Joan McGillis; daughter Lori (husband Shawn) and grandson Riley, 5; son Douglas (wife Gigi) and grandchildren Matt, 20; Codie, 14; Faith, 5; Raevyn, 4; and Logan, 18 months. A memorial will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, in Pacific Palisades. Burial services will be held on Monday at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, at 12:45 p.m. Contact: Douglas Lachman at (818) 892-7048.
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