Judyth C. Whitman

Judyth C. Whitman LEBANON Judyth "Judy" Carol Whitman, 62, passed away at her home in Lebanon on Friday morning, December 11, 2009, after a year long battle against colon cancer. Judy was preceded in death by father, William Walker; mother, Opal Carlson Walker; and daughter, Melody Alleyn Cave. Surviving her are husband, Paul B. Whitman of Lebanon; brother, Lonnie Walker of Lake Oswego, Ore.; sister, Bonnie Walker of Cullman, Ala.; six nieces; four nephews; one grandniece; and two grandnephews. Born in Charleston, W.Va., on February 13, 1947, Judy Whitman lost her sight at the age of 18 months due to a rare congenital cancer. She attended schools for the blind in West Virginia, Ohio, and Washington. Inspired by Van Cliburn's 1958 victory at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, Judy decided to begin studies for a career as a concert pianist. She attended the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles, Calif., where she majored in piano and minored in voice. In the 1970's she began a long career as a performer in a wide range of musical styles, from classical recitals to sacred and folk music. A gifted instrumentalist, Judy played not only the piano, but also the guitar, harp, autoharp, and mountain and hammered dulcimers. After the death of her 16 year old daughter, Melody Alleyn Cave in 1987, Judy became a volunteer with "Candlelighters", a family support organization for children with cancer, and participated in numerous musical benefits to raise funds for cancer research. In 1995 Judy married Paul B. Whitman of Lebanon. Under Judy's tutelage, Paul became a vocal soloist and the couple performed widely throughout South Central Pennsylvania. Judy performed the Mozart D Minor Piano Concerto with the Hershey Symphony in 1996, served as church pianist at the Richland Church of the Brethren for over 10 years, and recorded six albums of her own original compositions. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Richland Church of the Brethren in Richland.