Judith Halliburton Zavige

From my wonderful uncle and Judi's only brother, John Adams. He delivered a heartfelt, memorable Eulogy for my mom's special "Celebration of Life!" event, which you can watch in full by clicking on the link under the "Events" section. Eulogy for my sister Judi: I just read something on my monitor "John, you're now the only thing standing between all the attendees and them getting on with the rest of their holiday weekend." Actually, that's not true! I want to tell you TWO short stories, stories which greatly impacted my sister Judi's life. 1. Judi delighted in telling this story. She described how a difficult situation that happened while she was in Catholic grammar school. At the time, Nuns and Priests ruled the school and they used fear to control every student. Judi sensed that she was being unfairly treated, and she expressed her dissatisfaction to the nun responsible for her class. When nothing changed, Judi went home and told our mother what had happened. The next day, our mother (a woman of action) took Judi back to school and had an extensive conversation with the school's principal, Sister Hortencia. At the end of the discussion, Judi went off to her class. When she got home, my mother sat her down and explained, "Judi in life, you will experience things that are not fair. It will be important for you to use your God-given intellect, your words, and come up with a resolution you can live with. It may not be possible every time. Nonetheless, this should be your aim". The school situation was resolved, and Judi never experienced unfair treatment at school again. Judi was keen on telling this story because it was a teachable moment for her. She was always an advocate and she made sure she was heard…whether an advocate for her daughter's education or for her own health. 2. The Second story was my own recollection of Judi. The Catholic grammar school I mentioned, she went there until the 6th grade. We moved and she then attended Betsy Ross public school. So, when she got there, she was tested, and it was determined that she should be double promoted to the 8th grade. Judi is less than two years older than me. Yet later when I was a freshman in high school, she was a senior. When I was a youngster, it was hard for me to get reconciled with just how smart she was. Who gets double promoted? Other than my other sister Janet, I don't know anybody who was ever double promoted. Think about this for a minute; one day you're in 6th grade, the next day you're in 8th grade. Or one day you're a senior in high school, the very next day you're a sophomore in College. Regardless of where she went to school, she outperformed all her peers! So, I want to take the next 3 or 4 minutes and do three things: • Share with you some things that made Judi unique • Tell you why she made such a huge impact on me, my family, and for anyone who knew her • Express why her Spirit will live on 1. So, first I'll share with you some things that made Judi unique • I recently read the definition of a renaissance person. a cultured person who is knowledgeable, educated, or proficient in a wide range of fields. Some names come to mind like Mae Jemison, Oprah Winfrey, Marilyn vos Savant. And my sister Judi. • The truth is She believed she could achieve anything she put her mind to. She could hold her own in any discussion, regardless the topic. Besides our mother, she was one of the most articulate people whoever spoke. She used language in a way that caused the listener to stay connected to every word and each phrase she used. • She was highly ethical; A little known fact, her secret ambition was to become the first black woman on the Supreme Court. • At the same time, based on her work in the medical field, she very easily could have become a doctor. • Yet, she also had amazing artistic skills in both artwork and in writing, especially in plays, (both stage and screen). • And if those weren't enough, along with my mother, she was one of the best businesswomen I've ever known. 2. Tell why she made such a huge impact on me, my family, and on anyone who knew her. • Judi brighten our lives • She was always there for our family in her special way • Her love for her daughter, Vivian, her son-in-law, Ty, and her granddaughters Dillyn & Kendyll was deep and unqualified. Judi reveled in their accomplishments, she hurt with their sorrows, she felt sheer delight in spending time with them. • At the mere mention of her family members names, me, my sisters Janet & Michele, Judi's eyes would brighten. She was our biggest fan and greatest cheerleader in word, deed, and action 3. And, lastly, express why Judi' Spirit will live on. • Being hit by Judi's passing is natural. Like me, you hear a song, pass a sign, or talk about her and suddenly started crying. I guess I have Two comments…the first one, it's natural. I believe when we cry, it keeps the Spirit of the person alive within us. The second one…the writer of Psalms in Psalms 56:9 asked God to "put my tears in a bottle". First, the presupposition is if we don't cry, there are no tears to put in a bottle. And Second, it's about remembrance and trust. It's expressing a deep trust in God that He will remember our pain & sorrow and sustain us in our grief. • Toward the end, my family and I were praying for Judi' healing. I continued to pray she would be healed and restored. When I got the call she had passed, I was devastated. Later, a very good friend of mine shared with me ‘what you prayed for actually happened, she is now with God & Jesus and all of her maladies are gone. She has been healed and restored'. Those words continue to give me comfort and I pray they provide comfort for you as well. Judi, we love you and you will forever be in our hearts and minds. Thank you.