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Hunter College

JUDITH CRIST Obituary

CRIST--Judith. Columbia Journalism School mourns the passing of Judith Crist '45, a renowned film critic and long-time professor. She taught our students with dedication and distinction for more than fifty years, and was not just a legendary teacher but also a loyal and active alumna. Her work was recently included in "50 Great Stories," a collection of outstanding work by Columbia journalists for the school's centennial celebration. Judith was a constant, warm presence in the life of Columbia Journalism School. We will miss her terribly, and send our condolences to her family.

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

Published by New York Times on Aug. 10, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for JUDITH CRIST

23 Entries

Harry Simpson

August 8, 2015

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Jason Abrams

August 13, 2012

My deepest condolences to the Crist family. I grew up with Judith Crist as my neighbor, friend, and role model. Once as a boy, I walked down the hill to her house and knocked on the front door. I introduced myself as her neighbor, and had hoped to be of help in anyway she saw fit. She welcomed me into her life with open arms. She offered me chores to do, so that I could keep busy and learn the value of a job as a young man. She would refer to me as just that, a "young man". She expressed such interest in me, and gave so much of herself. She took the time to listen to what I've been up to, and shared her stories of what it's like to be a professional critic. I really enjoyed those experiences and was so happy to have her as a true friend. My birthday is February 14th, and every year, that meant a card and a call to wish her "valentine", "the boy up the hill", a wonderful birthday. I have so much love for Mrs. Crist, and she will forever have a place in my heart.

Sylvia Carter

August 11, 2012

It has been a great honor for me to serve with Judith on the Anne O'Hare McCormick Scholarship Trustees board.

I hope always to gracefully and generously pass the torch, as Judith learned do from Emma Bugbee. (Emma walked all the way to Albany with Suffragettes to take a petition, and filed her copy every night from the road in 1914!)

Here's just about how Judith told the story:

Emma had covered every Democratic convention, including the first one at which women could vote, for 30 years for the Tribune and later the Herald-Tribune. Judith was called into the editor's inner sanctum and told that she would be covering the convention. After a moment of joy and elation at the news, fast on the heels of that emotion came the thought of, "What will Emma say?" She said as much aloud, and the editor said, "Don't worry. I haven't told her yet, but it will be fine."

Each night for a week, Judith went home and said to her husband Bill, "I can't even take pleasure in this, because I so love and respect Emma and I don't know how she will take it," or words to that effect.

One day, Judith saw Emma go into the editor's office; the door closed. About 10 minutes later, Emma came out and headed straight for Judy's desk. Judith put her head down, dreading what Emma would say. Emma came up to her with a big smile and said, "I"ve just had the best news; you're going to cover the convention." She then told Judith that she would give her all her phone numbers and contacts and all the help she could give in every way.

Judith said she learned from that to pass the torch to others.

Yet Emma, who was called out of retirement at 93, not long before her death, to do a story concerning Eleanor Roosevelt, was nobody's fool. Her job insurance at the Trib was one closely held number she gave to nobody, Eleanor's private number. If you couldn't reach Mrs. Roosevelt, you had to go to Emma and ask her to do it.

One more Judith story:

The first time Judith went out on a movie review, she was happy to have the chance but worried about leaving the baby, Stephen, with her husband Bill for the evening. He assured her that it would be fine. She went.

When she returned, the baby was . . . missing. Bill hadn't noticed. Luckily, Stephen had crawled behind the sofa and fallen peacefully asleep. As we all know, it was not the end of her movie-reviewing career, to the delight of millions. But it was a close call.

I have told these stories as faithfully as possible, but if others who heard them can add details, I hope that they will.

On a personal note, when Judith discovered that I was the last person in America to not have pierced ears, she immediately sent several pairs of earrings made by her father, the Kenneth Jay Lane of his day, as she said. It was typical of her thoughtfulness.

So long as she influences our lives and as long as we tell stories of her, Judith is still in the world with us. She was quite a dame.

Abrams Family

August 11, 2012

Our condolences to the Crist family. We lived across the street when she lived in Woodstock. She was always friendly and every year since she moved away we have heard from her around the holidays. She will be dearly missed.
-The Abrams Family

Isaiah 25: 8 & 9

August 11, 2012

My condolences to family and friends. May you find comfort and the words of God he assures "He will actually swallow up death forever" and "will certainly wipe the tears from all faces".

August 8, 2012

To the the family of Judith Crist - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will sbe missed by many.

Victoria Hine

August 8, 2012

Steven, I am so sorry for your loss. My Mom passed away on the 26th of July, she was 91. Your Mom was straight forward with everything she did in life and I will always remember her for that quality. Thank you for sharing her with us.

August 8, 2012

p. 1255: 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tentnx of God is with mankind, and he will residenx with them, and they will be his peoples.x And God himself will be with them.x 4 And he will wipe out every tearx from their eyes, and death will be no more,x neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.x The former things have passed away.”x

Brunson'

August 8, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

August 8, 2012

SORRY FOR THE LOST. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU

August 8, 2012

With deepest sympathy to the Crist family during your time of grief...Psalm 46:1...God is for us a refuge and strength, A help that is readily to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.

Ashley

August 8, 2012

May you find peace and comfort through God who will give you the strength to get through this depressing time of grief. God is near to those broken at heart and those crushed in the spirit he saves.

Cynthia

August 8, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jack Hartman

August 8, 2012

One hell of a lady.

Jack Hartman

August 8, 2012

To the family of Judith Crist:

Sorry for your loss. May God give you peace, strength and comfort during this most difficult time of grief and sorrow.

Praying for you during this time.

Mary Green

August 7, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Georgia

August 7, 2012

Crist family: Sorry for your loss. May our Heavenly Father, Jehovah, provide your family with the needed comfort & peace during this difficult time. (Romans 15:33)

Kathy Wood

August 7, 2012

Judith Crist is a loss to the community of film lovers. Her wonderful reviews helped me see film in a new way, and educated me and so many others about film. Yes she could be sharp, but also very witty. My sympathies to her family.

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