My Mentor Judy

When I was fresh college grad I got my first "real job" with my current company. It was a very exciting time in my life. When I received the call that I got the job, I celebrated the special occasion with a new pair of high heels and a purse briefcase. I wanted to look polished and professional on my first day. After all, the office was in a high rise building, and I would even ride the train in to the city to get there. I felt so grown up. On my first day I was going from office to office meeting everyone in my department. Everyone was so kind and friendly; I felt right at home. And then I went into her office, the nurse manager Judy. I went in and introduce myself. I was cut off with the following, "Shelley [the woman I was replacing] couldn't do all of her responsibilities so I am doing them because I was tried of the mistakes. I will give you one chance to do it right and if you can't then I will do it again." There was no smile. I even believe I gulped. I told her I would do my best and said something like I won't disappoint her and she said "I hope not". I walked out stunned thinking she was the meanest woman I've ever met, never imaging that she would become my greatest mentor and greatest advocate in the professional world.  Fast forward 5 years and I realize Judy was neither mean nor unhappy, but she took her job seriously and was a no nonsense woman. That was the first and last time Judy was ever stern with me, we had a wonderful working relationship and friendship. We often worked on projects together, and she would leave little tokens of appreciation for me. One was a beautiful knitted scarf she made, beautiful necklaces, stationary and so many more that I have forgotten. After I had my baby and chose to not go back to work, it was Judy who created my part time, stay at home job to work under her. I was honored that she thought of me but more importantly that she trusted me.

Judy is the one in the center just above my right shoulder in the bold pink. This was our last Christmas picture of our nurse team. (Obviously, I am not a nurse but I do the paperwork for the nurses now. AND yes, that is my mother-in-law to my right, yes, we work together and it is NOT a nightmare).

 She was a fascinating woman, who at 70 years had more energy than I did at age 20. She touched many lives. She was a woman of service and warmth. She made my baby a beautiful quilt before she was born. Well, technically two quilts. She had sewn a quilt and the night before she would give it to me she called my mother-in-law and asked what colors we would like. My mother-in-law said Brad mentioned we have so much pink (imagine that?) Well, the quilt she made was pink. So at 9:00 o'clock that same evening she started a whole new quilt, for me to open the next day. It was perfect, it wasn't all pink but still feminine.

Our quilt

 Eight weeks ago she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous brain tumor. I visited her in the hospital, and she was spunky and very optimistic about the results of radiation and chemo therapy. She was even talking about coming back to work. And guess what? I believed she would beat it. She was a fighter after all. However, her health declined quickly and 6 weeks after diagnoses she passed away.

Today, was her funeral. It was beautiful. Happy memories were cherished, and a wonderful woman was honored. As we often talk fondly of those that have gone on, which is good and I believe is the right thing to do, it makes me feel a little hypocritical. I would be lying if I didn't say there were more than one or two occasions I walked out of her office rolling my eyes because I thought she may be a little crazy. (She was a dreamer after all, and most dreamers are kind of crazy). Or the occasional frustration that would arise. But in the end they were few and far between the good times I had with her. I will miss her dearly. Her vivaciousness, her bold clothes, her spunky hair, her advice, and her heart of gold.

The last picture taken as a department, our 2010 department retreat. Judy was on the stairs in the middle. Little trivia, I was 12 weeks pregnant in this picture and this is where I announced my pregnancy to my department. Judy and Lane were already aware, as they were in meetings where I would abruptly run out due to morning sickness.