Judy, My Fabulous Friend, how do I begin to describe who you were and the special friendship we had?  I could write a book, but can’t take up that much space here!  Right?  😊I miss you very much, and I’ve prayed for God to bring comfort to ALL who love and miss you.  🙏🏻❤️

Judy and I were best friends from the time we first met at just 7 years old.  I am  deeply saddened  by Judy’s passing.  She was more than a friend—more like a much-loved sister.   I miss Judy,  our always- fun times together, and our many lengthy phone calls to each other.  We lived in different states during our adult lives, but visited each other’s homes as often as possible.  We loved it that Judy’s husband, John, and my husband, Dave,  also became good friends as a result of Judy’s and my friendship over the years!  

Judy and I were just one week apart in age, and among our many phone calls, we always called each other on our respective birthdays.  John joked about having to run out for more phone batteries when we got on the phone together.  😁 I missed getting that  birthday call this year and missed being able to call Judy on her birthday.

Judy was a joyous person and always ready for a good laugh!  Her laugh was infectious.  During our high school days, Judy had a “not well understood” joke that she told, but her laugh after the punch line could get everyone laughing.  It got so that Judy only had to say that punch line and laugh to get our friends laughing…even though we each had to admit  that we never really “got” that joke!  It was simply Judy’s laugh that made us laugh!!!  AND…Judy could use that punch line (and her laugh afterward) to get our high school friends  laughing at it again…YEARS later!!!

Judy was a loving and supportive wife to her husband John throughout their many years together.  They were high school sweethearts, and their relationship and marriage grew from there.  At Judy’s Celebration of Life Service, John stated that I may have had something to do with their first date!  (Huh?  I guess you’ll never know.  ☺️)  My husband Dave and I certainly cherished our long-time friendship with both of them.

Judy was also a proud and loving mom of their adorable daughter Lisa.  It has been my pleasure to get to know Lisa well as an adult now.  What a loving daughter she is!   She is like Judy in many ways, and I’m happy to have a close friendship with her, too.  It has been a source of comfort for us, after the loss of Judy,  to share memories of Judy with each other.  Lisa was very devoted to her mom, and her preparation and spoken words  for Judy’s Celebration of  Life were outstanding!!!  

Judy was also “big sister” to Jo and Janis, who are 7 and 9 years younger.  Although they lived in different states as adults, Judy enjoyed family holidays with them, and according to John, Judy freely played the big sister role.  (I’m not sure what that means, but guess it to be related to the age span.  They were very little girls when I knew them.)

And, of course, anyone who knew Judy as an adult knew of her love of duplicate bridge!  She would have played every day if she could, and she was quite successful at it, earning many Life Master points in competition with famous players!  Even though she played competitively at the bridge table, she was always gracious about her success and made many friends among the other players!  In a nutshell, Judy was the kind of person many would seek out as a friend!

May you rest in peace, Dear Friend.  🙏🏻❤️