Judy was so excited to meet Ed Asner, one of her favorites... (at Kalman's 60th birthday)

rachel's wedding

My Aunt Judy was truly one of a kind. She was always the life of the party, but was always curious about what was happening in your life too. She lived life on her own terms and did everything she wanted to. I have so many amazing memories with her, but some of my favorites were when I was younger. Judy would always have me climb on her roof to adjust the cable when the picture was fuzzy because she was using a splitter at the time to get cable from the neighbors. I used to laugh so hard because I thought that was so cool at the time. 

 When I was older, I would come over to Judy and Steve's for Monday night fish night. It was always so much fun and I always looked forward to spending time with my Aunt Judy and Uncle Steve. 

I found this video on my phone from 2017. My wife and I were over with our dog. Judy always said she didn't like dogs, but I think this video proves otherwise! You will be missed so much, and I will always cherish all of the times we had together. I am the luckiest guy to have had you for an aunt. 

I started working as Judy’s assistant back in late summer 2021. Even though it has been brief, I am grateful of the time I’ve gotten to know her.

She was always cheerful and had a great sense of humor. At the start of our video conference staff meetings, she welcomed everyone with a fun anecdote or a cheerful greeting and it always made me smile.

Judy knew how to tell a great story and I really admired her expertise in the entertainment industry. She was a great leader to our team and had a solution for any sort of hiccup. Judy made time for me whenever I had a question and I greatly appreciate all the knowledge about kids TV development that I’ve learned from her.

Aside from work chat, I enjoyed our talks about movies, exercising or just being a New Yorker in LA. Our team will certainly not be the same without her. Her dedication and innovative spirit is an inspiration to us all. 

We met Judy when she and Steve moved to Los Angeles. Throughout the years we have spent many holidays and special occasions together.  Judy was so young at heart and enjoyed and really connected with our adult children and their friends.  She was the life of the party and will be greatly missed by our family. 

I met Judy about 15 years ago when I joined a swim club.  At some point early on, I was placed in a lane with her.  There seemed to be an immediate connection and ease in our interactions.  As we were both in the "slow lane," we always talked about our technique, how to improve and move up to the faster lanes.  We never got very far in that respect, but over the course of the last 15 years of sharing a lane with Judy two to three times a week, our relationship moved forward as we more and more became friends.  I really didn't enjoy swimming as much as knowing that I would see Judy there first thing in the morning (usually at  6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m.)...it became one of the best parts of my day. We would push each other to improve our swimming, but in between would share stories about our lives and joke around, often time irritating the coach!  Over the last couple years during COVID, we started doing walks or hikes all around LA on Saturday mornings.  During these walks, we would point out homes and landscaping we liked (and those we didn't) and talk about politics, society, friends, family, our relationships...everything.  Aside from the pandemic, there was a lot going on in my life and it was a very challenging time for me.  Having these walks with Judy provided a break from it all and not only was good for my physical health, but was hugely impactful on my mental health.  Her positive can-do attitude, sympathetic ear, and general support helped get me through these times.  I couldn't have done it without her!  She was such a big personality...opinionated, successful in her career, engaged in politics and volunteer work, active social life.  We always talked about it being a big world with lots to do and how much fun it is to take part in it all.  And she sure did! She wasn't able to sit still very long and lived fully.  She was an inspirational figure in my life being an example of working hard, service to others, making time for friends, taking in arts and culture, and being completely genuine.  I am better for knowing her and she will continue to guide me going forward.  I love her dearly and her friendship is one I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Judy was not just dear and beloved friend, she was also a most generous one.  Always eager to help make connections, give you the advice you needed to hear, listen when you wanted nothing more than to bitch about your work, your husband, your kids, your aging body.  And I owe my entire career here in LA to her.  In an off-hand, mostly whiney dialog over some eggs and toast (for me, not Judy!) during which I complained about moving to LA and that I didn't know anybody here in the business that I was working in (kids tv), and what was I going to do now, blah blah blah, Judy jumped in and said there was one person I had to meet and he would know what to do with me.  Thanks to her referral I met the man who would offer me a job I was totally unprepared for and had no expectations of succeeding in.  But Judy's imprimatur was enough to get me in the door and on his radar.  Twenty years at that company and there wasn't a day when I didn't think about how I got there thanks to her.   Nobody cared more about her friends and their well-being and happiness than Judy.  Nobody was more eager to hear what was going on in your life than Judy.  And nobody had more courage and spark than she did.  She will be missed but she left her mark on me in more ways than I can possibly recount.   I like to think she's watching over all of us still while having a good swim.  Much love, Nancy

I’m so heartbroken to hear that Judy is no longer with us. We worked together briefly, but in our short time became close and I learned so much from her.

She was incredibly spirited and I greatly admired and appreciated her candor and sense of humor.

I hadn’t previously met anyone who could so freely cut through the corporate red tape we encountered and didn’t hesitate to unabashedly speak the truth. She wasn’t one to put up with any office politics and I watched her always stick up for her team and advocate for the highest standard of work.

At the same time she kept sight of what was actually important in life, and could easily laugh off issues that came up and help us all keep things in perspective. She was incredibly thoughtful, an absolute joy to be around, and a breath of fresh air.

She will always remain a great mentor for me and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to know her.

Sending all my love to her family, she was a very special one. 

Scouting a shoot at the zoo, but really just having fun and hanging out. Will very much miss this sort of thing

This is the Judy who always made me laugh. 

Judy being Pineapple