Memories from some of our members:
Everyone who knew Judy is left with gratitude for her friendship and love and with a deep sense of loss. She will be greatly missed as a fabulous friend, a musical muse, a wonderful wife, a marvelous mother and a devoted daughter and doctor. I returned from VT a few days after Judy's death and sitting on my desk was her holiday letter, which I had opened right before we left home. I left it there to be sure to send her a note when I got home telling her that, once again, her holiday letter was my absolute favorite. No hyperbole, just dry, sweet humor and family news. Re-reading it, Judy’s next to last line is particularly poignant. “We remain acutely aware that we are lucky and privileged and that the fabric of our lives is fragile…”
Oh, how fragile.
~In Sadness, Rachel Bassoon
Judy was always friendly and caring. She had a smile for everyone and inquired about your family and well-being. I enjoyed playing the flute with her in the SVNH band.
~Suzanne Flute
Judy was such a sweet, compassionate, kind and funny person! These attributes were no doubt a great asset to her in the medical profession. I just read Judy's holiday letter a few days ago. I then wrote on my card to her that I so enjoyed her annual letters; they're always down to earth, showing gentle humor - the most honest and real of any I've received. She had such a great understanding of human nature. I had not seen Judy much since she quit our band, and I always missed her - a great companion in our ensemble of a few years ago.
~Mary Lou Clarinet
Judy was a cherished and talented member of our band. Her smile and pleasant demeanor contributed to the welcoming atmosphere that made our rehearsals and concerts positive experiences. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family on this tragic loss.
~Joanne Horn
I will always miss Judy, my dear friend, and there will always be an empty place in my heart. Judy touched so many peoples' lives, probably thousands. In her quiet and honest way, Judy made each person she met feel special. Not having Judy is a major loss for me.
~With Love and Sadness, Elaine Flute
Judy was a very good flutist so she was happy to help me with a note or trill if I was stumped. She was also a good listener when I had a medical situation with my mom.
~Cheri Flute
I played with Judy in the 6-person quintet and then followed her to The Chestnut Orchestra where for years I sat next to her. We would always try to catch up while trying not to get in trouble for talking! What I loved was watching her think... she would have a particular expression of concentration which would then be followed by a caring comment or a funny self-effacing quip. She always remembered anything that I told her and was always interested in my life. Like others, I couldn’t wait to see her at the next rehearsal to compliment her on her Christmas card! I so admired her and will miss her very much.
~Kathie Oboe
I first met Judy in her role as the parent of a high school kid who took lessons with my clarinet teacher. At a time, and in a place where parents often jockey for status regarding their kids' achievements, Judy's wry, self-deprecating, affectionate sense of humor about herself and her kids was such a delight that I used to race from work to get to my lesson a little early to chat with that lovely woman.
~Steve Bass Clarinet
Judy loved music, but mostly loved engaging others in the love of music. I began to play the violin again and experience the joy of music because of Judy's enthusiasm.
~Jane Violin
I got to know Judy as a member of our “six-person quartet.” She was by far the best musician in the group but never seemed impatient with the rest of us. She was always pushing herself to be better at whatever she did, not to compete with other people, but because she always wanted a challenge. I know she was very grateful to the band for bringing her flute and participating in music back into her life, and it was a difficult decision to move on to other ensembles because she believed in the philosophy of New Horizons and had made many friends in our group. Just hours before I received the news of her death, I was reading her latest Christmas card and letter, where she wrote of being aware of how blessed she was and how fragile life is. Her death is a great loss to the world.
~Mary Beth Flute
I last saw Judy a few weeks before she died. We went for a walk around her neighborhood and talked about work, family, New Hampshire and of course, our flutes, and what we had been up to since we sat next to each other in the Met Flute Orchestra last summer. Judy always lifted my spirits. She praised the ordinary and had a deep appreciation for the simple things in life. I miss her terribly and I will always remember her as a great flute player and friend.
~Anne Flute
I remember my first correspondence with Judy, because it included a phrase that went something like this: "I played seriously through college and I have continued playing every now and then with friends and my children. I was just saying, 'I need a 7th grade band', and then I saw the poster!" She brought that gentle humor to our rehearsals and our band family.
~Diane Muffitt, SVNHM Director
|
