Written by childhood friend, Robert Luna
Judy
You have been gone since 1986 but truly never will be forgotten. Over a decade ago ago I thought I would create this page in memory of Judy and I kept putting it off. Trying to find the right way to do it, contacting friends that I had lost touch with so many years ago, looking though the photos that would aptly represent how we all saw you. I decided to not make excuses anymore. This is only the first stage. Some photos, memories and some tears. Not tears of sorrow, but tears of happiness having had the opportunity to know Judy. I found it surreal to look into those brilliant hazel eyes and wonder who Judy would have become in her life had she lived past her early 20's.There has never been and never will be anyone like her. She was on another plane than you or I. She had an insight into beauty and relating to people that can only be described as spirit like.
This is so long over due as I have said. I hope to be able to share stories and images. I only wish to apologize to those who knew her for not having done this sooner. As far as I can tell, there are no other memorial pages to her. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Recently I found myself not having details of years and dates and it made me very sad. To have memories so precious slip away simply because they weren't written down and one's memory starts to break down with the passing of time. It's not necessarily the way it has to be.
Introductions via mass transportation
I met Judy at Six Flags over Mid America in St. Louis, Missouri circa 1978. I was 15 years old and living in the south side. My family and I moved away to Orlando Florida in 1979. I remember it like it was yesterday because it was October 22nd. The day before Judy's birthday. My childhood house was demolished in the late 80's. It seems almost too appropriate because all of my memories and friends have since begun to disappear from the city with the silver Arch as well. In Early the spring of '78, my then friends and I had stumbled upon an area of Six Flags that featured music and dancing. There among the dancers were Susie Roach and Judy Pelot. Both wearing what I seem to recall as concert T shirts, hiking boots and jeans.Small talk was exchanged and we went our separate ways. Later that evening on the bus ride home, the passengers, mostly young energetic adolescents rowdy with mischief, began pulling chunks of foam cushion off of the seats and eventually throwing it at each other. A piece of foam fell into Judy's lap and she looked over at me and pelted it at my head! I was shocked and flattered at the same time. Then all hell broke loose and there was chaos as the bus' seats became nothing more than shiny metal frames. For the life of me I can't understand what came over the initiators of the destruction. These busses usually traveled to and from Six Flags on a daily basis! Regardless, that would be my introduction to Judy. My memory is fuzzy on how I came to see her the next time but I do recall a trip to Crestwood Plaza [now it is a mall]. There, while hanging out in the local record shops, Spencer's and stereo stores, we began a friendship that was truly unique. I remember going home with a feeling of warmth and intrigue. As well as a Black Sabbath album.
When we met
Meeting her when she was 13 and I was 15 would to be the highlight of my youth. I couldn't stop smiling. And I don't smile much.
The years apart
I moved to FL on a day before her birthday I recall. In those days, you couldn't text or email a happy birthday greeting and in some weird logic, I am glad of that. I was thinkin of her every second as my father drove us down to Orlando to set up our new home.
In the years that followed, we wrote and I visited often since I had many friends and family still living in St. Louis. I'd stay with my former best friend's family and often we'd go out with Judy and "Just be" as she used to call it. We broke into Concordia Turner's Swimming pool one night and went swimming well after midnight. Well, Judy didn't swim, she watched as we acted like fools. I remember slicing my hand open as I was holding the fence for everyone to get out of the facility and I told Judy I didn't want to get any blood on her to which she says, "I don't mind. That will remind me of this night!" We later all ended up in some park laying on the grass and just staring at the stars wondering what would come of our lives in the future.
In my visits back to see Judy, would always feel like I was the most alive person on the planet. I would count the days until I could hang out with someone who I knew I would be close to til my dying days. And in effect as you'll hear, I think that is still true.
The influence of Judy
Judy had a way of making whatever she was doing amazing to be a part of. She was not only living the moment, she was making the moment be larger than life.
Laura Gotsch
One day while over at Judy's house, she said we should probably go over to the mall and bring her friend Laura some lunch because she was working a long shift at the Cookie place. When I write that it sounds like the beginning of a John Hughes film... Anyway, I was game. She made her a sandwich and I can't remember if we rode bikes or walked to the mall the point is, it was the time spent thinking about a friend that stood out to me. When we arrived, Judy introduced me to Laura. Were all girls at Ursuline Academy beautiful and amazingly sweet?
Two years missing
There's always a time in your life where you get caught up in what you think is important. You may lose track of people you shouldn't be taking for granted. Hopefully you'll realize you need to continue the commitment to a friendship/relationship that meant so much to you once upon a time. The miles between didn't help...
I kept meaning to get back in touch... I kept meaning to find out what she was up to. But I think deep down I didn't want to realize the time that had passed had brought us into the next part of our lives. I was being selfish and I knew it.
The year of her death
It was 1986. It was a typical hot summer in Orlando. I decided I had to get back in touch with Judy. I decided I wanted to find out what she'd been up to and what her plans were for the the rest of her life. I dialed the phone.
The call
Judy's father answered. He told me she had been killed in a car crash, two years ago. As I stood there after hanging up... I didn't think I heard correctly. Nothing had changed... right? I could never be so wrong. With the news I would always think that a part of my life force was taken. I knew I'd never feel like I did when I was around her or even conversing over the miles with her. It was the start of an existence without that one special thing that made all others things seem small and insignificant. It was a time to realize that life was so precious and one should never take it for granted.
The impact
I felt like a conversation had ended... I felt like I was responsible for it somehow. I knew that was not the case but the feeling was pointing to the fact that I wasted two years not staying in contact. I also knew what the mystery phone call was when my Grandmother who had been visiting from Peru told me a girl had called several times and since my Grandmother didn't understand English very well she didn't get the info that it was Laura Gotsch calling me to let me know what had happened. All the what if's raced through my mind. What if I would have been home when those calls came in. What if I had been better in staying in touch and valuing our friendship more. What if I had never left St. Louis and could have prevented this tragedy some how. As time went on, I realized these were unrealistic thoughts.
Judy Lives
What is to follow you can believe or not believe. I only know them as things that have happened in my life. Judy Pelot has visited and spoken to me three times in dreams and one time in what can only be described as an other worldly aberration where she warned of an upcoming tragedy, the collapse of the 35W Bridge in Minneapolis.
I was driving back from St. Paul and crossing the 35W bridge and for some reason, I looked way over my right shoulder before I changed lanes from the far left to the center lane. I never did this. I had a Chevy Blazer at the time that had big mirrors and I used them religiously. When I looked over my shoulder in what seemed like a millisecond, I saw Judy sitting behind me in the passenger seat. She sat there smiling ear to ear and giving me a look of reassurance. A look that I can only describe as comforting, loving and looking out for my safety.
As I almost lost it on the road I knew I didn't want to cause an accident so I focussed and drove on. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I felt so energized.I felt so happy as well. I remember speaking out loud but it's funny how I don't remember what I said. I think it was something as obvious as, "That was Judy!"
A few days later, I t was the 4th of July and I was driving my wife's Mazda RX-7 with her in the passenger seat and I somehow avoided a multi car pile up in the exact same spot where Judy appeared to me.
Years later, the 35W Bridge fell and several people died.
I don't know what all of this means or if it was just a series of unrelated events. I'll know one day though. I am sure of it.
The present
2 of Judy's former significant others have contacted through a memorial page I had made years ago. I will share anything they want me to share here on Judy's Blog.
It's October 22nd 2009. I can remember back 30 years, when I had a knot in my stomach as my dad pulled out of our driveway and we started for our 2 day trip to Florida. I remember thinking that just days before, I was in the presence of someone who changed my life. I had no idea the impact this beautiful person would have on me 30 years later and beyond. Getting to visit St Louis as we grew up and started our lives meant so much to me then. It means more now that those times can make me smile just thinking about them.
As I have said before, I am blessed to have known her.
Happy Birthday Judy. ... I can never thank you enough for throwing that piece of seat cushion at me on the bus ride home from 6 Flags... you're life will always have special meaning for me.
Rest in Peace.
Robert
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