Judy Farrell: Clearwater restaurant co-founder, matriarch

Judith (Judy) Farrell, 69, of Clearwater, died March 12. She was co-founder, with her late husband, Lenny, of Lenny’s Restaurant, a landmark Clearwater breakfast and lunch eatery reminiscent of a Jewish deli.

She was born in Brooklyn, NY and was raised in Teaneck, NJ. She attended the University of Miami, majoring in fine arts. She later returned to school and obtained a RN degree. She and her late husband were involved in several other restaurant ventures before founding Lenny’s Restaurant in 1980.

After Lenny’s death, she became the matriarch of the family-owned and operated restaurant in Clearwater and of the Philly Phans. Up until her death, she held court each morning from a booth in the restaurant, schmoozing with longtime customers and treating newcomers as friends. The family restaurant continues in her, and Lenny’s, memory. She was the honorary “mom” to restaurant manager Kevin Schauer and the Phillies spring training and minor league players.

A member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater, she was also connected to Temple B’nai Israel and Congregation Aliyah, which is no longer in existence. The family purchased a Sefer Torah for Congregation Aliyah during the late Rabbi Jan Bresky’s tenure. That Torah now resides at Young Israel/ Chabad in Palm Harbor.

Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law Bennett Farrell, and Dan and Mettayya Farrell; sister and brother-in-law Frayda and Marty Jacobs; seven grandchildren as well as numerous nieces & nephews. The family suggests memorials to the Pinellas County Jewish Day School, 1775 S. Highland Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756. (David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Beth David Chapel)