Spotlight on Long Island Women of Substance
Meet Judith St. George Bacher: A Life of Style, Service, and Substance
This new angle of my column—interviewing women in their retirement years—has proven to be nothing short of sensational. Time and again, I’ve found that women over 60 are boldly rewriting what “retirement” looks like. They are not simply stepping back—they’re stepping up, creating fresh paths filled with energy, impact, and inspiration.
It was at a summer concert in Westhampton Beach where I first spotted Judith St. George Bacher. The music was flowing, the crowd swaying, and yet she stood out. It wasn’t just her elegant fashion sense or the way she carried herself—it was her presence. Confident, radiant, self-assured. I thought, This is the kind of woman my readers will want to meet. So, in what may have seemed like a bold (or slightly crazy!) move, I scribbled a note introducing myself, passed it to her, and asked if she might sit for an interview. To my delight, she agreed. And a few weeks later, I discovered she was even more astonishing than I had hoped.
A Life of Accomplishment
Judith grew up right here on Long Island, where Catholic schools shaped her early education, and summers at horseback riding camp nurtured her spirit of adventure. Her academic journey led her to Georgetown University, where she served as class secretary alongside class president Bill Clinton—yes, that Bill Clinton. She later earned her MLS at Columbia University.
Her professional career began at Time Magazine as a researcher, but she soon entered what would become her true arena: the Executive Search Industry. For 35 years, Judith thrived as a consultant and then Principal with three of the most prestigious global search firms during the industry’s heyday. Her expertise was so respected that she was invited to serve on the White House Advisory Committee on Personnel during the Carter Administration.
A Life Inspired by Family
Behind Judith’s strength and ambition stands her greatest influence—her mother. A remarkable woman who lived to 102, she was both Judith’s inspiration and her cheerleader. Together, they were go-getters and strong voices in the fight for women’s rights. Judith’s close relationship with her mother shaped not only her career but also her approach to life—bold, compassionate, and determined to make a difference.
A Life Well-Lived
After four decades in New York City, Judith has embraced a vibrant, bi-coastal retirement. She now splits her time between Westhampton Beach and Laguna Woods, California—living life to the fullest on both coasts.
In Westhampton, Judith pours her heart into her community. Under the auspices of the Westhampton Beach Free Library, she organizes and runs the beloved free weekly summer concerts on the Village Green, bringing neighbors and visitors together through music. She also volunteers at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center and manages to fit in three games of tennis each week.
In Laguna Woods, her days are equally full—playing tennis, sailing, and embracing the growing popularity of pickleball. She has traveled to more than 60 countries, feeding her curiosity about the world and her love of new experiences.
A Life That Nourishes the Soul
Judith’s passion for the arts runs deep, and her philosophy is both timely and timeless:
“I honestly believe that when we start losing exposure to the arts, we start losing our humanity. While feeding the needy is unquestionably an absolute necessity, so is nourishing the soul in these incredibly stressful times we live in. One might say there are two great equalizers among all of us: the need for food for the body and the need to nourish the soul through exposure to and enjoyment of the arts.”
This belief underscores her commitment not only to service but also to ensuring that beauty, creativity, and inspiration remain within reach for all.
A Life That Inspires Others
When asked what advice she would give to women over 55 navigating retirement, her words carried the weight of both experience and optimism: Volunteer. Take a class. Find ways to meet others. Keep growing and continue becoming the very best version of yourself.
Her message is simple, yet profound: Retirement is not an ending. It is an invitation—a chance to live fully, give generously, and keep discovering new parts of yourself.
Judith St. George Bacher embodies this spirit. With style, strength, and purpose, she shows us all how to turn retirement into reinvention.
Andrea Peponakis
Andrea Peponakis is a retired foreign language teacher who then became a local newspaper journalist and local radio show host. Born and raised in Astoria, Queens and on Long Island, Andrea is now focusing on writing children’s books. The motivation to become an author was inspired by her three grandchildren. Her book, Grandma, Grandma, Tell Me More: My Family Loves Me, was featured at this year’s London Book Festival and at The LA Times Book Fair. Andrea currently resides on Long Island near her children and grandchildren. Her days are spent creating everlasting memories with her grandchildren and writing.
What a wonderful tribute to a strong accomplished woman, with many talents and aptitudes. She lives life to its fullest. She enjoys participating in physical pursuits, the theater, travel and giving of herself to the community.
Judith is the woman responsible for running and organizing the summer concert series at the gazebo in Westhampton. I am so impressed with the way she handles tough situations with ease and grace.
Kudos to this remarkable woman..