Thinking of Judy and hoping that wherever she is, she is having a good time celebrating her birthday.

I am sad – Judy passed much too early. There should have been many more laughs together, many more shared hopes for our kids and our world, many more Christmas cards. Only she would want us to keep up the laughter, the hoping and the Christmas card writing. In these and so many other ways, Judy will be with us this season and for the rest of our lives.

Although this is obvious, for the record, I owe Judy and Bill for welcoming me to the Roehr family in 1994. I was young and stupid, of course, but Judy, Bill, Kelsi and Keegan put up with me and my wonder about all things Californian and American. I could not have landed in a better place. Judy’s love was manifest in the everyday – the jokes on the drive to the high school, the chicken casseroles, her patient and persistent gardening – and the grand adventures. She was willing to drive all over the Sierras to hike, to ski and to camp, and wow, did we have fun. Can I just say that I first encountered Smores with the chocolates, crackers and marshmallows that Judy got for us?? 

Like all kids, I didn’t realize the magnitude of parenting until I became a parent myself. And I became a parent in California, after coming back in 2003. (For some time, I continued to live a blissful life in Berkeley, thinking that all of the US was more or less on the political spectrum that ranges from Grass Valley to the Bay Area). And for the now (incredibly) 25 years since we met by pure chance, Judy continued to the best possible American Mom I could have had imagined. As I am negotiating parenthood with role models on two continents and in two cultures, I am always hoping to bring joy, laughter to everyday like Judy did and head out to the next adventure like Judy did. My kids owe Smores to Judy, and they know it. 

Judy, you will be missed, by all of us, and thank you for being my American Mom.

I would like to thank Judy for raising such amazing, bright, socially aware daughters.
My daughter Amy spent many nights at the Roehr residence enjoying their grnerous hospitality. Our daughters remain friends today.
It is hard to say good bye to your Mother.
I wish you all well and hope that your memories and all the wonderful life lessons your Mom taught you, carry you through these more difficult days. 
Love to all of you,
Sally Patrick

I will miss my sweet cousin and her laughter and quips.  She was quite the 'shenanigator' when it came to our visits and I did enjoy spending time with her in Albany during my last visit.  We took an Uber to Chez Panisse and had a lovely meal together recalling good times and past adventures before returning to the 'Little Lemon Cottage'.

We shared a bottle of wine and she fell in love with the cottage, its decor, kitchen and outdoor living space.  Just around the corner from Keegan's place, it was a back house that had been recently renovated by someone in the hospitality industry.  I think I found it on VRBO and it turned out to be only a few short blocks for her to walk home, although I think she wanted to move in as she loved the living area and the coziness of the cottage.  It had a mature lemon tree outside the front door that was quite prolific, loaded with lemons at the time.  We played cards and a few games provided by the owner and that will remain a fond memory.  That and all of our Llama exchanges.

When I first heard Judy was ill, I bought us both some "Llama Pajamas" and warm slippers.  I told her I would think of her each time I wore them.  Since that time we have exchanged Llamanoes, Llama statues, cards and any other silly gifts we could send each other to brighten the others day.  I loved how she used the word "frock" when she wanted to know what to wear to wherever we were going.  

Please give my dad (Uncle George) a hug when you see him and celebrate your birthdays in February.  I miss you both terribly.

Judy's Christmas letters were always so fun to read. Like a mini-visit with her. 

I will miss Judy and her letters.

Judy planned a Chicago celebration for her big brother Tom's 60th birthday. Judy and Bill flew out. Tom, Anna, Kris and I drove down from Duluth.

Our original accommodations, a hostel that barely had mattresses, proved unsuitable, and by the next night we were sleeping at a suburban Courtyard Marriott. Coupons, of course. You know Judy. ;)

Judy kept things lively on our daily back and forth on the commuter train as we explored Chicago, caught a show at Second City, rode the L,  ... had such fun. 

Judy did indeed love to sing and laugh. 

   I can't remember exactly when we snagged Judy Marie for our group but oh, did we luck out!  I first remember her as the smiling lady who came in the CDA library and visited with us in the book store.  Then she volunteered for the bookstore and the rest is history.  We library ladies think alike. 
   Like the rest of you, I will always remember Judy as the one to start and lead the singing - what a joy. I have never been so willing to belt it out before!   She just made you feel so darn good and happy.  One special singalong happened up at old ladies camp when she led us singing show tunes around the camp loop.  I'm pretty sure this was a first for the camp hosts. 
   Then there were the road trips.  Who wants to go?   She was ready and willing.  We camped in yurts down in southern Idaho, cabins and lodges up at Stanley, Idaho and Lolo Hot Springs. She was always willing to take the most uncomfortable bed and then she would sleep like a log.  I can't forget the trip to a yurt that we couldn't find the first night so stayed at the old hotel in Idaho City and they helped us find it the second night.  We had dear Wylie with us that trip.     To sum it up, I am so happy I met this lovely lady and I miss her. 

Judy once accused me, wrongly, of trying to make her into a runner. She didn't run but she was active and fit.  And on one occasion she became a pace runner or pacer. A pacer is a companion runner. In the Western Staes 100 Mile Endurance Run you can have a pacer beginning at Foresthill, (about 61 miles into the race), or wherever you are when it starts to get dark. As usual, on this occasion I was far behind my hoped-for time and was at Michigan Bluff, seven miles east of Foresthill, where my designed pacer was waiting for me, when dusk began to fall. My crew, (crew chief sister Marti and my family), met me at Michigan Bluff.   No flashlight.  No training. No hesitation.  Judy saw the problem, my concern and volunteered.  We loped out on the darkening trail, Judy without a second thought. She was encouraging to me and ran the seven miles, uphill and downhill, as much as I did or could.  It was an incredible gesture of love.  

Judy and the girls were supportive of my running endeavors.  We'd go as a family to a 50K run I did each year in Bishop called the Mule Run.  One year the day was quite warm and the run was particularly arduous.   Judy could see at the finish line that I was really spent.  In her kindness and empathy she decided my dirty, sweaty legs need a massage. She plunged right in. After a couple of minutes of vigorous kneading, she looked up . . . and discovered the legs belonged to somebody else!