Obituary: Judy Colaneri

August 7, 1958 – October 2, 2025

Judith Lucia Colaneri passed away in Oviedo, Spain on October 2 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Judy led an extraordinary life filled with joy, friendship, and adventure that spanned two continents. She touched many lives over the course of her own. Everyone who knew Judy admired her endless energy and generosity of spirit, but mostly how she lived such an authentic life, doing and living what she loved, inspiring us to do the same.
Judy was born and raised on Long Island, New York. After graduating early from high school, she came to the Roaring Fork Valley and worked hard to pursue her dreams. She attended Colorado Mountain College and worked at a horse ranch, as a maid, as a nanny, and as a property manager. After attending Tante Marie’s Culinary School in San Francisco and becoming a professional chef, Judy returned to Aspen and started Lucia’s Catering, which she owned and operated for many years. Judy catered lavish parties and became a private chef to various high-profile clients, some of whom took her with them to other locales and became her friends. Judy was at ease with everyone, treating all people alike, with dignity and respect. She has always been a magnet for good energy and good people.
Judy developed a love of travel and started using her hard-earned dollars to see the world in the off seasons. In 1994 she went to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. On her first walk, Judy met a handsome Spaniard named Juan Carlos Fuentes Pura. She fell in love, and the Camino de Santiago became a huge part of her life. Judy became a pioneer when she and Juan Carlos started Spanish Steps, their walking company, taking groups on van-supported guided trips on the Camino. Judy had a gift for giving of herself as a guide and leader. She made connections with locals there and established lasting relationships with innkeepers and hosts. Later Spanish Steps and Roman Roads expanded to include pilgrimages in France, Italy, and Portugal.
In 2005 Judy and Juan Carlos got married and bought an old millhouse property in a small village in the mountains of Asturias in northern Spain. They converted the old farmhouse, with toil and talent, into a beautiful hotel retreat center, naming it Hotel Rural Fuentes de Lucia. Since its opening, Judy and Juan Carlos have hosted groups from all over the world for one-week retreats, which have included yoga, photography, language classes or art, to name a few of their offerings. She and Juan Carlos prepared and served great food, enjoyed by their guests, along with providing experienced guides to take them on day hikes and excursions to the beach.
Judy was a beautiful, kind human being and a force of nature. She rocked many of our souls with her passion and light, and will be greatly missed. She will long be remembered for her warmth and vision with love and gratitude. Her friends all over the world are all better for having known her. To honor Judy, feel free to go out and take a long walk, talk to a stranger, or follow a passion of your own.
Buen Camino, Judy! Fare you well…we love you more than words can tell.
A gathering and celebration of Judy’s life will be planned for a future date.