A friend of mine died in an automobile accident over the weekend. It was one of those senseless, random events that takes a joyful soul too early and provides a reminder to live every minute.
I met Judy Shinogle when I was an analyst at the Congressional Budget Office between 1995 and 1998, then lost track of her for a while, when our life paths led us in different directions.
In 2009, we reconnected and Judy joined my season-ticket group. Partway through that season, she said something that’s been replaying in my mind tonight, “Thanks Jenn, for getting me into baseball. I’m having a blast.”
Of course, that comment wasn’t really about me. Instead, it was about Judy, who had a blast doing many things, and also about baseball, a shared experience that’s wonderful for creating new friendships and renewing old ones. Last year in September, Judy and I enjoyed ladies’ night in the Diamond Club. I’m so glad we did that.
This year, Judy used her first pick in my ticket draft to make sure she would become the owner of a Michael Morse bobblehead. How can you not love a woman who prioritizes getting a trinket that’s guaranteed to make you smile?
Hey Judy, I’ll miss you. Be sure to root for the Nats from heaven.
26 comments
My sincere condolences on your loss.
Thanks Carol
A sweet, heart-rending tribute, Jenn. I’m so sorry.
Dear Jenn,
Thanks for posting such a beautiful note about my big sister, Judy. You are right, she had such a heart for fun, crazy things. And she was also such an amazing researcher and teacher.
I really miss her and am still so shocked about her death.
Kind regards,
Mary Cohen
Mary, I’m heartbroken for you. May happy memories provide you comfort during this terrible time.
What a great post that really captures Judy! I was lucky to know her, if only for way too short a time. Last fall, Judy and I had a great evening at the Nats stadium (in your groups’ seats) the evening after the DC earthquake. It was quiet, and calm, and a gorgeous night for a baseball game – and a fun girls night out. I will always remember her in that fun-loving way.
My condolences to all of you!
I was shocked to hear about the accident. So very, very sad and tragic. I met Judy when she was on fellowship at NCHS and I was finishing my fellowship there. She was so incredibly encouraging while I was writing my dissertation. The last time I saw her – was a baseball game. We ran into each other at the stadium. She was having a blast. She had a zest for life.
Jenn, will you let us know if there will be memorial in the DC area?
As a longtime Judy friend, I got the fun time of joining her at Nats games. She was excited that she got one of the Cubs games this year and texted me right away to let me know so we could go. Jenn, she talked of you often and about the ticket group. All of her friends from pharmacyland are trying to come to grips not ever getting to see her again, but we know she’ll look out for us all.
I think it says something about Judy that early this morning this little blog broke its prior record for daily traffic.
April, you provoked another tear.
Ted, if I learn something about a memorial, I will post it.
I knew her from another sport, agility:) She was always having fun! The love she had for her dogs and all the sports they played together. She will be dearly missed. I am sorry for all of us, she was one of a kind.
End-of-day update: A big hug to the many friends and family of Judy who today visited Nationals Fangirl. In one day, this blog got more than 4 times as many clicks as it did the day after Bryce Harper made his major-league debut (and that Harper kid has a lot of charisma). I think Judy would have been amused and touched.
Judy was one of the most joyful spirits on the planet! No matter what she was doing she was having fun! I will miss her so much and am so sorry for all of us. The world has really been gypped on this one….
Judy was a special lady. Loved reading this memory of another part of her life. Remember a recent post she had about making sure she kept attending Nationals games as they seemed to win when she did. She and I exchanged fun as I asked her not to attend when the Phillies came to Washington.
Thank you for a thoughtful remembrance of Judy. Yes, she always did have a blast. We tried to meet up once a year, about now at a professional conference, for drinks and to swap gossip, to talk about our kids (mine human, hers canine). I am still in shock, and will miss her smile and boisterous laugh and her kindness. Peace…
Dominic, UMBC is holding a memorial service on June 26. You can email me at akirk at umbc dot com for more info.
Doh. Make that umbc dot edu!
My heart is aching for my long time friend…I too met Judy at the Congressional Budget Office and we have been friends ever since! We had a great relationship and its hard for me to think that she’s gone…the world has lost a great person…a great mind…she was brilliant. And I will miss her terribly! Please, if anyone knows of a memorial service please add me to the contact list.
I was a dog friend and a work friend (we both did NCHS fellowships and worked together at UMBC). I was driving home Sunday evening from a dog show in Manassas. I heard on WTOP that Strasburg had hit a home run and I laughed and immediately thought of Judy. Then I got home and heard the terrible news.
My sincere condolences to her family. I went to High School with Judy and remember a lot of the fun times we had. She will be missed.
I was one of Judy’s high school English teachers in Goddard, Kansas. As horrified as I was to hear of the accident, I am glad to know that she never changed. She was always smart and witty, fun to be with, and destined for a bright future. My tears are for a life and a future cut short.
Jenn, here is the information about Judy’s memorial service in Wichita
June 4, 2012
Location: St Francis of Assisi
861 N. Socora
Wichita, KS 67212
316-722-4404
The burial will follow at: Resurrection Cemetery, 1640 N. Maize Road Wichita, KS 67209
After the burial there will be a luncheon for all at St Francis of Assisi.
Thanks April
Judy was such a fun person. I met her at CBO and we became good friends–she was always lively and fun to hang out with. We talked about a bit of everything and exchanged music for which she had incredibly good taste. Surely miss my sister friend Judy.
Thanks for the lovely memories of Judy. I’m a health economist and Judy was one of the people I most looked forward to seeing at conferences. She was always so much fun and was so good-natured. It’s hard to believe that she’s really gone. She was well-loved and respected and will be sorely missed by all of us. Rest in peace, Judy.
I wanted to let people know about two upcoming celebrations of Judy’s life. Tomorrow (Tuesday June 26) there will be a celebration at UMBC. Details here:
http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/mipar/2012/06/memorial_service_for_judy_shin.html
I understand that there will also be a celebration of Judy’s life and accomplishment in dog sports at Congressional Cemetary on Wednesday.