Friday, June 21, 2024
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I first met Judith in 2006 when I took her Humor Writing class at Norwalk Community College. In her class, and with her guidance, I ended up writing what would become my first published (and paid!) article -- The Westport Wannabe -- for the Fairfield County Weekly. I remember being so nervous to read it aloud in class, but her audible laughs along the way encouraged me to continue. Ever since then she has been my friend and mentor, always supporting my writing endeavors and encouraging me along the way.
I remember walking down Main Street in Westport with her once, and so many people came up to greet her. She was a well-known writer in the area (and beyond!), and I remember after a woman came up to her and then walked away, I leaned in and whispered in a goofy voice, "Oh my GAWD, you're SO famous!' She laughed and poked me as we continued walking.
I also remember how pretty much every time I went to the Garden Cinemas in Norwalk to see the latest independent film, I'd spot her many rows ahead; her shock of beautiful white hair was hard to miss.
She was so generous and supportive that she also invited me to meet Amy Sedaris with her at the Westport Public Library, where Amy was signing autographs of her cookbook. Judith was just plain cool.
I'll cherish our last text messages that we shared just four weeks ago, in which I shared pictures of my graduation and updates about my and Jack's lives. She was hugely complimentary as usual, continuing to encourage me in the way that she always has.
Judith loved sharing stories of her run-ins with Paul Newman, and anything else that struck her as funny or entertaining. She was a storyteller in every sense of the "word" -- and a damn funny one, at that!
I'll miss her.
