Judy Gire has been an educator, outdoor enthusiast and vocalist throughout much of her life. Growing up in North Canton, Ohio, she developed an early appreciation for nature, spending summers on her grandparents’ farm.

As the only girl among a group of boy cousins, Gire quickly learned to participate in whatever activities they chose. Gire and her cousin, Larry, were particularly close. He loved watching birds on the farm and in the nearby woods. They would sit on the old wooden fence at the edge of the cow pasture watching the birds come and go, noticing their different feathered patterns and sizes. Gire remembers overcoming her fear of cows at the age of 10, when she had to make the tough choice to abandon the birds because the cows were coming or brave the cows to stay on the fence and watch the birds. She chose to stay on the fence.

Both of Gire’s parents were educators, which sparked her own passion for teaching. Her father served as the superintendent of schools in North Canton.  After graduating high school, Gire was eager to spread her wings and explore a larger community. As she said, “It was tough being the superintendent’s daughter; my dad knew everything that happened in school. I wanted to explore a big college after growing up in such a small town.”

Gire earned her bachelor’s degree in education, with majors in mathematics and science, from The Ohio State University, and went on to earn a master’s in education from the University of Maryland. She taught mathematics at the middle school level for several years in Montgomery County, Maryland.

In addition to teaching, Gire held various administrative roles at both the school and district levels. In her final position before retirement, she served as the chair of the special and alternative education department at Parkland Middle School in Rockville, Maryland, overseeing 10 professionals and three paraprofessionals.

Gire and her husband, Tom, met while Tom was in law school at Ohio State. They have been married for 62 years. When asked about the secret to their long and happy marriage, Gire explained, “Our marriage is a success because we’ve grown together and especially learned to enjoy the same interests. We both enjoy exploring the natural world and have had an eventful life together.”

After their time in Washington D.C., where Tom worked as a staff attorney at the United States Interstate Commerce Commission, they moved to Boca Raton, Florida, and later to Oak Hammock at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

While living in Washington D.C., Gire and her husband became involved in the Audubon Society. As she explained, “Joining the Audubon Society was a way to get me out into nature and connect with like-minded people. I loved the trees, plants and wildflowers.”

In Boca Raton, Gire volunteered for nearly 25 years at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, where she educated the public about Florida’s marine ecosystem and inspired students to pursue careers in natural science. For many years, she also served on the board of directors of a non-profit that supported the Nature Center, at various times as treasurer and president.

Travel is another big part of Gire’s life. She and her husband have explored many parts of the world, including Peru, where they’ve visited 12 times. They’ve camped in the rainforest and explored the Amazon River region. In the mid-eighties, they decided to learn the Spanish language by attending a school in Lima for a week. In 1994, they became godparents to two Peruvian girls, daughters of their housekeeper at the hotel where they stayed. Now in their 30s, their goddaughters remain close to the Gires.

When asked about her nine years at Oak Hammock, Gire shared the following thoughts.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Tom and I enjoy traveling, reading, birdwatching and engaging in other nature-focused activities. We are committed to staying healthy, remaining physically active and continuing to learn new things. We swim three to four times a week in the indoor lap pool, visit the fitness center twice a week, and occasionally walk the trails.

I also stay involved with the Oak Hammock Singers and the Oak Hammock Natural History Society. Additionally, I serve on the Oak Hammock Residents’ Council Food and Nutrition and Employee Scholarship committees.

What made you want to join the Oak Hammock community?

Tom and I were drawn to Oak Hammock because of its beautiful natural setting, affiliation with the University of Florida and access to quality healthcare and cultural events. Once we arrived, we discovered the many wonderful programs and activities in Gainesville and the welcoming, well-educated people in the Oak Hammock community. The residents here are involved and have diverse interests.

What would you want prospective residents of Oak Hammock to consider?

Oak Hammock is a very welcoming place. You don’t need to be affiliated with the University of Florida to live here, though many residents do have that connection. When we moved here, we had no UF affiliation and didn’t know anyone in the area. Yet, we fit right in and felt at home from day one.

Tom and I believe it’s important to make the move sooner rather than later—while you’re still physically capable of socializing, making new friends and participating in the activities. There are plenty of clubs and groups to join, where you’ll meet wonderful people.

“Judy is appreciated for her conscientious, timely, and reliable leadership of the Natural History Society and the Oak Hammock Singers. She is always most welcoming, a good neighbor and a faithful friend.” – Sandy Furches, resident