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JUDITH MEADE Obituary

MEADE--Judith. Passed away August 24 after a brief and brave battle with cancer. Loving wife to William Meade and mother to Henry and Patrick, Judy was a true New Yorker from her birth in Sunnyside, Queens to her last home on the Upper West Side. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she returned to Manhattan and had a long career in publishing including Bon Appetit and Seventeen magazines and the Scholastic Co. After the birth of her twin sons, she became a freelance copywriter, working for New York magazine, Patch, and Aravind Eye Foundation, as well as directing marketing communications for her husband's entertainment production company. She also developed Charlie B, a children's multimedia education package. Whether it was her flair for decorating or her inventive gourmet menus, Judy will be remembered as a warm hostess with an open door policy for all. She knew no strangers. Judy enjoyed the arts, film, music, and was an excellent Scrabble player with a spirited sense of humor. She loved traveling with her family and was active in supporting her children's schools. In addition to her husband and children, she leaves four siblings: Linda, Ken, Lynn Ann and Patricia, and a wide circle of friends. She is predeceased by her parents and a brother. Services will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave., on Saturday, August 31 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gilda's Club of New York.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Aug. 30, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for JUDITH MEADE

Sponsored by Your forever friend, Cathy.

32 Entries

william meade

August 24, 2024

11 years.....and seems like yesterday.

Cathy Golebiewski

August 24, 2024

My friend, I miss you.

William Meade

August 24, 2023

10 years...and it seems like a minute

William meade

August 24, 2022

9 years today and it seems like a minute....always loved.

April 10, 2015

I, too, was deeply saddened to just learn about Judy's passing. She was such a warm, intelligent, creative, and joyful person. We should all strive to be more like her. I worked with her some years back at Bon Appetit. Was remembering her fondly just now, googled her name and was so sorry to read her obituary. My heart goes out to her family in sympathy for their loss. Her spirit lives on with them, and all those whose lives she touched.

March 31, 2015

I am very upset about this. I have just learned about Judy's passing. She was a sweet person and devoted mother. RIP Judy, I think of you often.

August 6, 2014

Dear Bill, I too have thought of Judy every day. I miss her so much and when I think about her I cry since there is a real void in my life. Especially thinking about 8/13 and this time last year when she was so sick yet so brave. Her wishes were to be with her family in any way she could be and she would have done anything medically possibly to help her live. I am not sure I could have been so strong. Judy never let her pain and discomfort get in the way of her last months. She never complained but was optimistic and determined. But life is not fair, and she was taken from us. You, Patrick and Henry have her spirit within and that is how life is passed on. Linda and Ken also have Judy within.. In only that way do I feel comfort. She meant so much to me but I have to rationalize this tragedy in some way. She touched my life in so many ways that I cannot express. Maybe there is a reason, but I guess I won't know until I join her up in heaven if I am so blessed...love Joan Freedman

Marilyn Alterman

August 5, 2014

Judy's birthday is next week and it is almost a year since her passing. I really don't believe a day goes by without her popping into my thoughts. She remains with me this way. I can never let her go. My thoughts are with Bill, Patrick and Henry as this difficult time of year presents itself.

Chloe Jagr

August 4, 2014

Judy, I remember when my mother, Holly, was a nanny for you and Bill, you two and the boys became our family as well. When I heard the news of your passing it broke my heart. We wanted to come see you guys again but I'm sure we will. We love and miss you very much . Rest easy. One day we will meet again .

Shirlyn Mandel

July 20, 2014

I first met Judy when she went into advertising in NYC. She briefly worked at DDB. The same ad agency where I worked. Her job was not challenging enough and she left for advertising sales and Bon Appetit. Luckily one of my accounts did business with that magazine. Judy was the salesperson assigned to the business. We were able to bond and regularly keep in touch. Not only did we enjoy business get-togethers, we also maintained a personal friendship. Two single NYC working gals looking for Mister Right. Judy became very friendly with Bob Jeffrey who also worked at DDB, formed his own agency and ultimately made it big at JWT. Bob took Judy to many functions until she met Bill Meade. She told me she was falling for Bill and he appeared to be Mister Right indeed. It wasn't all that easy getting a commitment. On one occasion she couldn't reach him and decided to go over and wait on his apartment stoop for him to return. We laughed together about the incident which turned out fine for Judy. They became very committed to each other and had a beautiful loft wedding, each writing their own vows to one another. They remained in NYC for quite a while. Bill traveling. Judy working and worrying about Bill when he was out of town. Her anxiety was a discussion we often had. They then bought a lovely home in Montrose, NY, previously owned by Sally Jesse Raphael as I recall. Advertising sales for Judy was waning and Judy decided to reinvent her vocation and go into design. She also desperately wanted children. This was something she and Bill decided to take charge of and they went to Nevada to a clinic that aided Judy in getting pregnant. This was so like Judy. She took charge of making her life special. The result was that Bill and Judy were blessed with twin boys, Patrick and Henry. Several years later they moved back to NYC. The twins entered NYC grade school and for the first time were separated and placed in different classes. I met Judy for lunch that week and she relayed how the boys missed each other. At recess they met and hugged, exclaiming, "Bro miss you! During her years in design Judy created her own holiday greeting cards with photos of the boys. It was a joy to receive them and realize how Judy's creativity was excelling. She was already designing her wardrobe. She always looked so stylish. She loved Max Mara coats and was stunning in each one she owned. Many of us wanted to look exactly the same and a coworker went as far as to purchase the same coat one year. Hey, Judy I mentioned, that's one of the sincerest forms of flattery. I remember when she was diagnosed with her cancer. I begged and prayed she would be able to fight this as she so masterfully had fought all obstacles in her life. Unfortunately that was not the case. Too young, too quickly, too soon Judy was taken from all of us who loved her so dearly. I will always have so many positive thoughts of you, my Dearest. May you internally rest in peace.

January 10, 2014

Bill

October 23, 2013

We miss her so much...it hurts everyday.

October 23, 2013

Eileen Middleton

October 23, 2013

Like my classmates, I have nothing but wonderful memories of Judy. She was the girl with the big smile and even bigger heart. There is always a special place for the people who accepted and loved us through the awkward adolescent years. The fun, laughs, silliness, tears, and angst we all shared are special to me. My sincerest sympathy to Bill, Patrick, and Henry. I can only imagine the depth of her love for you and hope that it is a comfort to you.

Cathy Golebiewski

October 21, 2013

Dear Judy,
For the past forty years we have stayed connected. I was able to visit you in Atlanta right after your family moved there and again after college when we were both working girls. You later moved up to New York City and were were hanging out all the time! We even went on a ski vacation to Canada one winter.

After I got married and moved up to Westchester County we lost touch, but not for long! Some years later I turned around at Premier Athletic Club in Montrose and there you were. You had gotten married and you and Bill were living two miles away from me.

We again had several years of hanging out...lunches,dinners and a Christmas party in that amazing house on College Hill Road. I watched you blossom being pregnant with Patrick and Henry and remember visiting you at Hudson Valley Hospital after they were born. As the boys grew into toddlers, the "city girl" realized the country was not for her and you guys moved back to Manhattan.

We kept in touch but it wasn't until this past February that I finally got down to the city and we spent the day together. I will cherish that day. We caught up on all our kids, the husbands, friends and family. It was a beautiful winter day and we took a stroll on Riverside Drive. We promised to get together soon.

We will always be connected in my heart and memories. And as it has always been, we will turn around and see each other again.
Love, Cathy

October 9, 2013

Vicki Biehl

October 8, 2013

I heard the unfortunate news of Judy's passing right before our 40th high school reunion. Even though I hadn't seen Judy since graduating high school, I felt very saddened. I had to smile thinking of Judy with her curly hair and infectious smile. I have a vision of her in her Leader's Corp jacket laughing at herself for some awkward thing she's just done or said. She was a real sweetheart and will be sorely missed. My condolences to her husband and twin boys who lost their wife and mother way too soon.

Nancy Johnson

October 6, 2013

Judy is someone I'd always hoped I'd see again.

I knew her in high school -- heard the sad news Friday night at our 40th reunion. I hadn't seen her in many years, since a few years after we'd all graduated from college. She'd just gotten this spectacular (if tiny) apartment on the upper east side with a marble mantle, fancy details and very high ceilings, and I remember thinking, "Wow, this girl knows something I don't know!"

In high school she was always up for whatever insanity we planned, always fun, always a good friend. And always fretting -- she'd scream "I'm mortified," at the slightest provocation, but clearly, later in life, she found herself.

When I found out about her untimely passing, all I could think about was how, back in the early 70s, she would roll her hair on orange juice cans, trying, in vain, to make it straight. Back then, none of us were happy with who we were. But it sounds like since then Judy came into her own in the best possible way. I only wish I had seen her again.

My condolences to her husband, family and friends, and especially (because I am also a mother of twins) to her two boys.

Karen Herbst

October 5, 2013

After attending Commack South's class of '73 reunion I was so sorry to hear about Judy's passing. I knew Judy since middle school and will always remember her friendship, sweet smile and kind heart. My sincerest sympathy to her family.
Karen Lenihan Herbst

Josephine Rivas Conley

September 3, 2013

May your Hearts soon be filled with
Wonderful Memories of Joyful Times
spent together with Family & Friends
as you Celebrate your "dear Judy's" Life well Lived.
Blessings to you and yours,
Josephine Rivas Conley (Lawrence's Mom)

Emma and Henry Buck

September 2, 2013

Judy radiated love, kindness and a gentle strength that was both infectious and inspirational. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.

September 1, 2013

Dear Judy,
Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to my sister!
She spoke about about you so often with such a big smile on her face or a giggle when remembering some cute stories about the boys.
I am blessed that I was able to give you a hug and kiss just recently. I want them back when we once again meet!
Rest beautiful one, and enjoy the view from up above where you can keep a watchfull on us all!
Love
Melany

September 1, 2013

Dear Judy,
Rest beautiful lady. Your children will be safe and well cared for by all. How lucky for them to have so many "parents". Bill has all of our prayers for strength through this immediate time and then the boys will take care of their Dad for you!
Keep your beautiful graciousness "warm" for all of us to experience once again when we all unite,
Love,
Melany (Joan's sister)

Judi Biamonte

September 1, 2013

Judy was a wonderful part of our school and will be missed. My deepest sympathy goes to her boys and family....Judi B

August 31, 2013

My dearest judy..she always referred to me as "sweet pea" and I knew her as one of my most cherished long time friends who introduced me to the world of advertising. She is forever part of me. She had creativity, elegance, beauty and a sophistication and love of the arts. Her first love was Bill and Patrick and Henry..but I felt as very much part of her family...forever judy you will be in my heart and soul.
see you up there when my time comes and we will have salmon together..joan

August 30, 2013

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending warm thoughts and prayers your way.

Julie & Robert Kopil (Marilyn Alterman's niece and husband)

August 30, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of Judy's passing. I am so glad that we had spent time together during my recent trips to NYC.
Esta deJong ( Marilyn's sister).

August 30, 2013

Judy was such a quietly strong presence in my life. She will remain with me always.
Love,
Marilyn

August 30, 2013

I was sorry to learn of your wife's passing,Bill.I am sorry you that we never met her.My deep sympathy to you your sons and her family.Marge(Jack)ORorke.

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