From day 1 at 13 years old it was an immediate connection. My forever friend  We signed up for sports and clubs and met lots of friends!! She had a personality that lit up a room and an infectious laugh! We shared our dreams and secrets and our lives.  If ever I needed her she was there no questions asked, as I did the same for her! 

So many stories from so many aspects of our lives. Through the tears of happy and sad we shared it all. She had a unique relationship with every friend. Jude, Judes, Bean.. Rhawnhurt, Curran’s the beach. Some of her favorites places. 

I miss our talks weekly, your advise and unconditional love, not only for me but for the so many that crossed your path. I listen to your voice mails and read the cards and notes you have written to me thru the years . I know life was challenging but you tried and it not fair

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and something crazy we did, I laugh and cry….I MISS AND LOVE YOU ❤️  Rest easy Bean until we meet again

When Judy was about four, Me and my Mom drove to Faunce Street to visit Aunt Jean.  While there I decided to take a ride to the Cherry Hill Mall.  I asked Aunt Jean if I could take Judy with me to shop.  She ok'd our trip and off we went.  We were in Strawbridge's looking at little girl dresses.  Judy was beside me.  I turned away for a minute and she was gone.  I couldn't find her.  All I could think about was Aunt Jean will kill me if I lose her, and Judy must be so scared and lost.  I headed for the office to get help when I see her coming towards me.  All by herself, with a big smile on her face.  I was in a panic and she was cool as a cucumber.  I decided we should head home and wouldn't you know it, a bridge opening on the Taconey-Palmyra.  Judy insisted we get out of the car and watch the boat pass by.  Needless to say, I was hoping she wouldn't get to close to the edge, so I kept a very tight grip till the ship was through.  Back to the car and home without further incident.  Judy was fearless, funny and loving.  This will always be one of my favorite "Judy" memories.

Judy, Jude, JB…whatever you called her, she was a  master storyteller, her Irish heritage definitely gave her the gift.  She could command a room with her stories and jokes.  I hope my stories and memories do her justice.

In the summer of 1980, Judy and I were 16 years old.  We accompanied my older sisters and their families to the shore for their summer vacation.  They only brought us along to be the live-in babysitters for the week for my two young nieces aged one and two.  So, when we got our chance to go out, we did!  We met some boys on the boardwalk, who were, of course, having a party at their house.  We went back with them to their house, and there was beer and other party-goers.  A few hours later, we realized we better get back and not worry my sisters.

Too late, so late, that my two brothers-in-law had been out looking for us.  My sisters were furious.  They told me to get to bed and prepare to leave the next day.  It was then I uttered the famous words still repeated today at family gatherings, “It’s not fair to Judy!”  For sure, I thought they would see how important it was to let Judy continue with her vacation/forced babysitting and just punish me.  But they were evil older sisters, and they arranged for someone in the family to come pick us up from the shore the next day and drive us home. 

But, it wasn’t over!  All six of my siblings (not just the evil elder sisters) still use that phrase, to this day, to mock me, or basically anything that isn’t fair.  Judy loved that it became a family mantra and we laughed about it into our old age.  The funny thing is that Judy actually became a family friend.  All of my siblings know her in their own, special beautiful way. 

Moving on to 1981 (these stories won’t be every single year, please continue reading), Judy, another pal, one of my younger sisters, Pat (not evil) and I, all decided to cut school to go see the Rolling Stones at JFK Stadium.  I needed a doctor’s note to get back into school on Monday, but it was worth it.  It was supposed to be their farewell tour, haha, they are still performing today!  I have photos somewhere and I will find them and post them.  The first photo of that day is us at the bus stop with rolled up blankets waiting for the bus to take us to the El and JFK.  I have one of all of us on the ground at JFK on one of those blankets.  

1979 or 80-ish.…Judy and I went to Liz’s (no last names here, please) parents’ trailer on the Chesapeake Bay.  We tried all night to meet some boys and we coudn’t, so instead we settled for Judy’s rendition of Jungleland by Springsteen.  If she didn’t have a story to tell, she had a song to sing…she made every time we were together a blast. 

Fast forward to 1986 or 87, going to the beach in my brand new car.  Listening to the Beastie Boys, Licensed to Ill.  Judy banging the dashboard the whole way,  “She’s Crafty”, our favorite from that album.  Did I care she was banging the whole way?  NO!  She was Judy!   

Judy was at both of my weddings.  She showed up at my first wedding with a broken leg and wild, rock-n-roll hair, looking like Stevie Nicks in a black kerchief dress.  So pretty and the center of attention.  Trying to show up the bride!  Again, I am looking for photos to post, I know I have a bunch somewhere.  We didn’t have camera phones back then (Praise Jesus!). 

Other random memories: 

·Walking to the Roosevelt Mall, eating real bagels at Brooklyn Bagels, eating Arthur Treacher’s fish sandwiches, playing pinball at The Galaxy!  So many times I slept at Judy’s house (good, old 2040, there were always Potato Stix!).  She was allowed out slightly later than me and she had a loving sister who used to pick us up and chauffeur us around when she could. 

·That lovely older sister (Janet!) was the first to introduce us to local night life at Cherry’s in Bensalem.  During one of our trips, I flooded her car when she stopped at 7-11 to pick up something.  I was pretending to drive, as all three of us were across the front seat (no bucket seats back then!).  Must have been pretty young then.  We called Janet’s boyfriend to jump the car.

·Christmas Eve at 2040, Mrs. Burns (Jean!, Mrs. B!) making batch after batch of Christmas cookies in the tiny oven there, drinking blackberry brandy and singing Christmas Carols.

·Buying Flare jeans up on Castor Ave with the pennies we earned delivering supermarket flyers, babysitting or doing my older brother’s (he wasn’t evil) Philadelphia Bulletin paper route.

·Staying in Stone Harbor in the early 80s with the parents of another friend (Diann).  The house was dark, we were watching an old Twilight Zone.  All of a sudden, all of the appliances came on.  “Get out of here, Finchley!”,  Judy was wearing underwear on her head like a shower cap, trying to scare all of us!  There are definitely photos of that.  Keep tuning in. 

Fast a little bit forward, and in 1993 when my parents died tragically, Judy was one of the very first people who showed up at their house with food and drinks.  We sat outside in my childhood backyard and reminisced.  She was the last to leave.  I never forgot that, because many people called, but few came by.  She knew it was what I needed. 

When Judy let me borrow her shore house one year for a weekend, I was so grateful (2000’s here). That was her happy place and she wasn’t going down that weekend.  She was so gracious.  I took my kids down and had a blast.  No cliché, she would have given me the shirt off her back. 

Fast a bit more forward, who did my husband call to plan my surprise 40th Birthday?  Judy.  She knew everyone and how to get in touch, way before the internet.

I will forever remember you as my coming-of-age friend and ally.  It’s not fair to Judy.  Love, Tata

P.S.  My older sisters aren’t evil.  They became lifelong friends with Judy when I asked if she wanted to join our LAOH Division 61.  She made many friends there, very easily.  Please leave your stories here.