Judith Paronett, 80 of Mitchell, SD, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Firesteel Healthcare Community.

Judith J (Judy) Paronett was born in Forest Hills, NY to Joseph and Jeannette (Dirhan) Kovacs. Spending her whole life in the New York area, she graduated from Hunter College with a degree in business administration.

An early pioneer of shattering the glass ceiling, she spent most of her career working for American Express, becoming one of the first female executives in charge of the travelers checks division.When travelers checks went out of style, she retired after 25 years. After a brief stint as a homemaker she returned to finish her career with the office of parish life in the Diocese of Trenton.

She was married to Robert Paronett, and was blessed with two children Deirdre and Jeannette. She moved to Sioux Falls in 2008 to be closer with Dierdre and her grandson, Saber.

Passionate about both mystery novels and needlepoint, she was a leader of her local chapters of both American Needlepoint Guild and Embroiderers Guild of America, and was infamous throughout her life for being able to finish a book a day, a trait she passed to her children.

She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Jeannette, her husband Robert, and her daughter Dierdre. She is survived by her grandson Saber and child Jeannette.

Services are to be held at a later announced date at Flushing Cemetery, Queens, NY.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to REACH literacy.