Thank you. The older one gets, the more this happens. Whidbey (well, south Whidbey, anyway) is a small tight community and we have lost several people here over the last couple years. Judy was an amazing person. Kind and talented and loved the pandas so much. I know they are all sad this weeks.
I totally hear you. My wife and I were part of a "happy hour gang" of 12 friends who met once a month. Our ringleader died of cancer, her wife followed her a few months later. We're going to another members memorial later this month...
Yes, fuck cancer.
Fuck it.
I'm so very glad I knew all of my dear friends who are gone now but the loss of them still sucks. Always will.
All I know to do is carry on in their honor and remember them aloud from time to time. And you can bet your bippy that I hoist a glass to them...
Hang in there. We had these special people in our lives for a time. We had them and they had us.
When I first moved to Whidbey, I fell into a group of interesting women, all a little older than me. They were all creative, intelligent people, and all were gardeners. All except me are gone no, all to cancer of some kind. We were supposed to get old together. As the youngest it was my job to drive the bus. (It was going to be one of those cute, mini school busses.) I fell them most, hear their voices when I am working in my garden. I have plants from all their gardens in my garden. I miss them so much.
Oh ouch. Oh I hear you. I was the youngest in our group too. My world too is full of memories. I'm so sorry for your losses. That hurts. That's bittersweet too.
Judy let me use one of her photographs from China for an illustration I was working on. I don't think I can post photos in the comments. I can use it the next time I do a post.
The news of Judy’s passing is still a shock. Am going to try to find her close-up photo of Bao Bao with the little leaf fragment hanging out of her mouth...a classic.
One of my favorites was the one of Pinky with her pink traffic cone. Judy captured her at just the right time with a very "Pinky" look on her face, as if she knew just how adorable she was. "This is my cone because it's pink an' all pink things belong to me!"
I hope she does too. I met her the first time I went to the zoo after I had published the first Panda Chronicles book. I had gotten to know Cyndi A. and she gathered up a bunch of the panda regulars to meet at the zoo, then go over to Lillies for lunch. This was before Pinky was born. What a joy Judy was. And one of the best photographers I've seen. She really made a connection with her subjects and took some of Pinky's most iconic photos.
I suspect I won't be able to live forever without a kitty, but I am remaining cat free for now. Mehitabel was such a wonderful cat that it was hard to imagine another cat in her place. Then I got into needle felting and I have a very small house, so hard to imagine how to keep a cat and tempting balls of fluff that look like cat toys separate. I made a kitten size needle felted kitten which is very well behaved and no vet bills.
I am running short of friends as they seem to be dying at a rapid rate, which really sucks. It's good to hear from you! I hope you are well.
I never made it to DC to meet Judi in person. But over the years we talked to FB and private messaging. Recently Judi said I just had to come to DC to see the pandas and her beloved squirrels. Now I know why. She must have known her time was short.
I will miss our conversations. I will miss her photos. I will miss her encouraging me to start taking pictures again. She has sent panda things to me because I couldn't travel to DC. One of my biggest regrets is not being able to travel. She was so kind and caring and made everyone feel special. May she RIP free of the cancer and know how much she was loved.
You would have loved her. I'm so glad you connected with her online. She always felt like an "old soul" to me, that this was not her first rodeo. I'm sorry you didn't make it to DC. I hope you can come before the panda family goes back to China at the end of the year.
It will feel weird not to have her there the next time I go.
She was an old soul. She had a zest for life, lived life to the fullest and spread love and joy to all. She was a treasure and will be missed, but remain in our hearts forever.
I have to ask, was she my secret Santa a few years ago? I always suspected it was her.
Cancer sucks. I will miss Judy, too. But I think you have captured what a great lover of pandas she was and how dedicated she was to them and their well being. May pandas be with you, Judy.🐼🐼🐼🐼❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. Cancer sucks. Losing friends sucks. Please consider accepting a panda sized hug from me.
Thank you. The older one gets, the more this happens. Whidbey (well, south Whidbey, anyway) is a small tight community and we have lost several people here over the last couple years. Judy was an amazing person. Kind and talented and loved the pandas so much. I know they are all sad this weeks.
Fuck cancer.
Thanks for the hug.
I totally hear you. My wife and I were part of a "happy hour gang" of 12 friends who met once a month. Our ringleader died of cancer, her wife followed her a few months later. We're going to another members memorial later this month...
Yes, fuck cancer.
Fuck it.
I'm so very glad I knew all of my dear friends who are gone now but the loss of them still sucks. Always will.
All I know to do is carry on in their honor and remember them aloud from time to time. And you can bet your bippy that I hoist a glass to them...
Hang in there. We had these special people in our lives for a time. We had them and they had us.
More gentle panda hugs to you 💚
When I first moved to Whidbey, I fell into a group of interesting women, all a little older than me. They were all creative, intelligent people, and all were gardeners. All except me are gone no, all to cancer of some kind. We were supposed to get old together. As the youngest it was my job to drive the bus. (It was going to be one of those cute, mini school busses.) I fell them most, hear their voices when I am working in my garden. I have plants from all their gardens in my garden. I miss them so much.
Oh ouch. Oh I hear you. I was the youngest in our group too. My world too is full of memories. I'm so sorry for your losses. That hurts. That's bittersweet too.
A friend of mine painted Bei Bei for me, using one of Judy's photos for inspiration, which Judy approved. I think of both of them when I see it.
Judy let me use one of her photographs from China for an illustration I was working on. I don't think I can post photos in the comments. I can use it the next time I do a post.
The news of Judy’s passing is still a shock. Am going to try to find her close-up photo of Bao Bao with the little leaf fragment hanging out of her mouth...a classic.
One of my favorites was the one of Pinky with her pink traffic cone. Judy captured her at just the right time with a very "Pinky" look on her face, as if she knew just how adorable she was. "This is my cone because it's pink an' all pink things belong to me!"
I also met Judy at the zoo and had the pleasure of getting to know her on FB and in real life. I hope she knew how much we would miss her.
I hope she does too. I met her the first time I went to the zoo after I had published the first Panda Chronicles book. I had gotten to know Cyndi A. and she gathered up a bunch of the panda regulars to meet at the zoo, then go over to Lillies for lunch. This was before Pinky was born. What a joy Judy was. And one of the best photographers I've seen. She really made a connection with her subjects and took some of Pinky's most iconic photos.
Hi Anne,
I’m very sorry you lost your friend, Judy. It’s so hard to lose a friend.
Lisa (former panda, now kitty obsessed). Will there ever be a kitty to follow to Mehitabel?
I suspect I won't be able to live forever without a kitty, but I am remaining cat free for now. Mehitabel was such a wonderful cat that it was hard to imagine another cat in her place. Then I got into needle felting and I have a very small house, so hard to imagine how to keep a cat and tempting balls of fluff that look like cat toys separate. I made a kitten size needle felted kitten which is very well behaved and no vet bills.
I am running short of friends as they seem to be dying at a rapid rate, which really sucks. It's good to hear from you! I hope you are well.
So very sorry for the loss of your friend. Sending you a big panda hug.
Thank you! ((())))
I never made it to DC to meet Judi in person. But over the years we talked to FB and private messaging. Recently Judi said I just had to come to DC to see the pandas and her beloved squirrels. Now I know why. She must have known her time was short.
I will miss our conversations. I will miss her photos. I will miss her encouraging me to start taking pictures again. She has sent panda things to me because I couldn't travel to DC. One of my biggest regrets is not being able to travel. She was so kind and caring and made everyone feel special. May she RIP free of the cancer and know how much she was loved.
You would have loved her. I'm so glad you connected with her online. She always felt like an "old soul" to me, that this was not her first rodeo. I'm sorry you didn't make it to DC. I hope you can come before the panda family goes back to China at the end of the year.
It will feel weird not to have her there the next time I go.
She was an old soul. She had a zest for life, lived life to the fullest and spread love and joy to all. She was a treasure and will be missed, but remain in our hearts forever.
I have to ask, was she my secret Santa a few years ago? I always suspected it was her.
Honestly I don't know. I sort of remember a secret Santa thing, but not sure I ever knew who anyone else's was, or even who was mine and vice versa.
Cancer sucks. I will miss Judy, too. But I think you have captured what a great lover of pandas she was and how dedicated she was to them and their well being. May pandas be with you, Judy.🐼🐼🐼🐼❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm pretty sure Pan Pan and all Mei's cub's that didn't make it were waiting to welcome her.