Judith “Jude” Robertson Birch, a resident of Fishkill, NY and proud Louisville, KY native, passed away on December 13, 2023. She was 77 years old and had recently celebrated a beautiful, yet brief period of remission from Lymphoma. When her illness resurfaced unexpectedly last month, she unsurprisingly chose a new chapter. Ever the storyteller, master problem-solver, and totally devoted mother and grandmother, Jude always knew how to go her own way. She stopped all tests and treatment and instead chose comfort, clarity and communicating how much she loved us all. She died peacefully at home, exactly as she wished.

Before going by “Jude,” she was Judy Robertson. Born in Lebanon, KY, her family then moved to Shively, a suburb of Louisville not far from the famed Churchill Downs. Judy spoke of their home on Clarice Way with a particular shine in her eyes: her childhood girlfriends, the neighborhood “good time gang” and trips to visit her many cousins, who she loved. By the time she graduated from Butler High School in 1964, she was a star drum majorette, killer typist and voted “best dressed,” which she always attributed to her mother being an excellent seamstress.

After attending classes at the Louisville School of Art and secretarial school at night, Judy was hired at American Air Filter, a job she proudly dedicated herself to. It was there that she met Eric Birch of Cambridge, MA. They were married in Louisville on Eric’s birthday – December 28, 1968 – and began a life of travel for Eric’s work. Their first stop: a high-rise apartment in Los Angeles, CA, which she said made her feel like a movie star. Other moves took them to Pennsylvania, Ohio, back to Kentucky (an undeniable theme of her life), New York, Massachusetts, and 5 years abroad in England. Judy and Eric were married for 17 years and had 3 beautiful children: Alexander, Jordan and Elizabeth.

Judy eventually settled in Corning, NY, where she lived for almost 20 years. These were busy, happy years raising kids with best friend Patti Ahrens right down the street as well as lifelong friendships with the Cogers, the Gleasons, and many more. Corning was also where she met the love of her life, David Reed – an elementary school gym teacher, high school coach, marathon runner, black belt in Karate, cross-country cyclist, local legend and self-described “King.” After 25 years of sharing their lives together, Jude & Davey finally made it official at a simple courthouse wedding in Louisville on October 11, 2011.

Jude (as she had begun calling herself by ~2000) had an incredibly impressive career in real estate, spanning almost three decades and expansive networks in both New York and Kentucky. She earned her license following her divorce and worked hard for Callahan & Hooey in Corning before being recruited by Re/Max Global to open an office in the area. By the mid-90’s, she was the Owner of a bustling Re/Max franchise, at one point overseeing more than 10 active agents.

Jude dominated life as a Realtor. Clients would call day and night, and always be greeted with an enthusiastic “This is Judy Birch!” Weekends meant back-to-back Open Houses and her giant wooden desk and gorgeous office on Corning's historic Market Street were a sight to see. She had a gift for marketing and local ads were true to her bold, independent spirit – at times featuring studio photography of her parents or kids with moving copy about the true definition of “home.” Or, when not waxing poetic, she’d hustle with brevity. Her business cards were absolutely everywhere, printed with her decades-long tagline “Opening Doors and Closing Sales.”

Jude retired from real estate in 2014, trading "For Sale" signs for political yard signs, pride flags and protest posters. She was a firm believer in the political process, unabashed lover of the 24-hour news cycle, referenced something in the NY Times nearly every day of her life and considered it among the highest virtues to “be informed.” Fiercely dedicated to human rights causes, she was particularly passionate about women’s issues, reproductive rights, equality and justice.

From President of the PTA in Corning to powerhouse business partnerships in Louisville, to her avid participation in the Women’s Club, Book Club, Crafts Group and Political Group in her community at Fishkill Woods and neighboring Fox Ridge, Jude proudly mixed business, activism and friendship throughout her life and regularly shared her passions in prolific emails and Facebook posts. She also often wrote these missives ahead of time in her mind while baking something insanely delicious, tending to beautiful indoor plants or her garden, or simply folding laundry. And always, after she felt she'd done all she could for a day, she would knit, read, or consume all there is of British television.

Finally, as anyone who knew her would confirm, Jude was intensely devoted to her family. She absolutely adored her parents and took care of them in their last years, and she shared a lifelong bond with her sister-in-law Tama, and cherished being an aunt to her kids and theirs. 

But above all, in her own words: “There is nothing in my life I am more proud of than Alex, Jordan and Lizzie. Nothing.” Jude's kids and grandkids were her heart and she never tired of finding new words or ways to express this love. It had a ripple effect on her family, friends, kids’ friends, friends’ kids and more – once you were part of Jude's circle, she always found a way to let you know she was rooting for you and on your side. She carried a deeply held belief that we are all capable of absolutely anything, and that spirit – a genuine, confident "you've got this" conviction – will live on for all that knew her.

Jude is predeceased by her parents Thomas Edward Robertson and Dorothy Elizabeth Wade of Louisville, KY. She is survived by her children Alexander Birch and his wife Jennifer Birch, Jordan Birch and Elizabeth Birch, her beautiful grandchildren Satchel Birch, Talula Birch and Jack Robertson McGrath, and her brother Tom Robertson, who she joyfully reunited with just days before she passed.

The family is planning a memorial event in NY after the holiday season and a smaller burial service in Louisville, KY in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation (or ongoing commitment!) to Planned Parenthood, Moms Demand Action, Emily’s List or Innisfree Garden in the Hudson Valley.

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