Obituaries

My son and Judy's nephew, Jake, just shared a beautiful story with me tonight: So I’m at Judy’s apartment. Unfortunately, the memorial tree was cleared out, except for one piece of paper (neighbors did return her original art that was on it though). While I’m waiting outside on the sidewalk, a 4-year-old girl and her dad pull up to the tree and got out of their car. The girl runs up and hugs the tree. The dad says “we love you Judy”. I asked him how he knew Judy. He didn’t see me originally so was a little startled and defensive, but more prideful than anything, exclaimed “she was my friend!” I told him I was her nephew and he went on to explain to me how he lives down the street and Judy would always walk by and was so friendly and would play with Autumn (the 4-year-old) and their dog. Autumn then showed me that piece of paper on the tree was a drawing of her Judy and her dog. They were there earlier in the day to put the drawing up, but came back to give Judy brownies (the foil at the bottom of the tree). Autumn made me promise that her drawing stays up forever and that I don’t let anyone else eat the brownies because they are for Judy. I don’t think I’ll be able to honor that promise, but we can safely be assured that even if the memorial is taken down, Judy’s memory will live on in the hearts of so many people.

Posted by Sarah Catz on December 13, 2020