Judith Nakdimen

Judith Nakdimen passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, in Novi, Michigan, surrounded by family. She was 95. Judy was born in the coal mining town of Evarts Kentucky on July 31, 1930, to shopkeepers Abe Nakdimen and Lucy (Steelman) Nakdimen. However, her interests, activities and travels extended far from Evarts.

During her childhood her family moved often, and over the course of her life Judy lived in over 20 different towns and cities around the United States. She had a long and successful career at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan where she was responsible for personnel, payroll, labor negotiations and more, and was the college's first Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.

Judy enjoyed wine and good food and was an avid traveler. She took many international trips, often with family. Her favorite destination was Italy which she visited roughly 20 times. When not traveling Judy loved playing bridge and doing acrostics.

Judy had a passion for the theater. For years she made an annual pilgrimage to New York City to attend Broadway shows. She also spent decades as one of the core members of the Theater Guild of Livonia-Redford. She served as President of the Theater Guild and took on various responsibilities, everything from directing to sewing costumes. It was there she made some of her closest friends.

Judy was deeply committed to civil rights and civil liberties, and to the plight of those less fortunate. In addition to working to support political candidates she admired and donating to worthy causes, she did a large amount of volunteer work including packing food for the hungry and hand-knitting countless blankets for the homeless and for pediatric oncology patients.

Among her and her children's fondest memories are her annual birthday celebrations in Chicago, and then later closer to home.

Judy Nakdimen is survived by her four children from her past marriage to musician and music educator John D. (Jack) Pierson, and their spouses, Davin (Pierson) Torre and Paul Torre, Melissa (Pierson) Barrett and Michael Barrett, Eric Pierson and Sejal Mistry, and Matt Pierson and Tari Kelly. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, David Torre, Matthew Torre, Adrienne Torre, Lucia Kittay-Pierson, Lola Pierson, Romy Pierson, Maxmilian Pierson-Panes and Harrison Pierson-Panes.

A celebration of Judy's life will take place later this year.

In lieu of flowers her family suggests donations to the American Civil Liberties Union or to Northville Civic Concern.