Judy, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Mommers & Grandma "DD"

 

Born 02/11/1942 in Decatur, Illinois, only child of parents:  Ralph (Jim) and Margaret David. Grandparents:  Ernest and Daisy David of Decatur and Harvey and Gertrude Brown of Lewistown, IL. Her parents were strong business contributors in Decatur through the family-owned David's Quality Market and joint real estate careers. 

 

As a young lady Judy studied dance extensively, studying under dance master, the late Fred Henesey, of Decatur. She also participated in HS vocal music programs. She was also trained as a percussionist. Judy was always at ease on the stage and loved the spotlight!

 

Her first job was as a therapy aide at an Easter Seal Clinic in Decatur.  She graduated from Douglas MacArthur HS in 1960.    

 

She attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, through an Easter Seal scholarship, where she received a BS degree with double majors in science and physical education.  She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi national social sorority.  She participated in several university Greek queen contests.  She was a very active student. She was a drummer and dancer with the Scottish Highlanders female performing band at Iowa and was a Hawkeye Cheerleader.  She spent four summers working as a 

counselor and therapy activity aide at  Camp Sunnyside, a residential camp for severely handicapped children and adults in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

She attended University of Iowa graduate college, receiving her advanced physical therapy degree and certification in 1965.  She interned in Waterloo and Sioux City Iowa and Omaha medical facilities. She wed Kenneth Matzick in Sept 1965. She practiced as a physical therapist at University Hospitals in Iowa City, making her first marital home in Coralville, Iowa while awaiting her husband's completion of his Masters program in Hospital and Health Administration at the University.

 

The couple's first career move was to Morristown New Jersey where he was an administrative assistant at the local hospital.  While in New Jersey, Judy auditioned and sang with the 250 voice Masterwork Chorus which performed at Carnegie and Philharmonic Halls in New York City at holiday time. She also directed a Play-Therapy Summer program in the area for special needs children. She volunteered at Morristown Memorial Hospital.  She delivered her first daughter, Sue in 1969.  Judy began to seriously enter the field of personal fitness, taking Sue in her carriage while running or walking many miles per week.

 

The family returned to the Detroit area in 1970 where her husband served as the administrator and later CEO of William Beaumont Hospitals. She had two more daughters Amy and Kate. She blended motherhood with an active expanding performing arts/fitness career which she established in 1971. During the next 20 plus years, she opened and directed Right Moves' Movement and Performing Arts Centers.  Her entrepreneurial skills allowed for tremendous growth and 

success in her professional/business career touching many lives (sometimes generations) with movement, fitness and dance opportunities.

 

Judy was a certified fitness professional and also continued to dance herself in the shows she produced.  She was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce in Rochester Michigan. She directed performing arts shows, directed "FAME" performing arts summer day camps, and provided consultation and programs for Rochester and Troy, Michigan schools.

 

Judy also produced videos, directed street performances and public and private creative movement clinics.  Judy enjoyed opportunities to do radio call-in talk shows in the Detroit area.  Judy also took time to attend the Masters' program in exercise physiology at Oakland University and took continuing education classes in creative movement and mime at Wayne State University.

 

She retired from performing arts business ownership in 1990 after a divorce and relocation to Moline, Illinois.  She married her second husband, Thomas Torbert in 1991. He was an administrative project manager at the Deere and Company World Headquarters in Moline.  No children were produced from this marriage. At that time, Judy began her public speaking and writing business, "Smile Therapy" and presented Mime performances.  Her monthly "Smile Therapy" columns in Mature Focus Magazine were welcomed by a wide readership.  She also was a Personal Trainer at the Two-River's YMCA.  She was comfortable behind a lectern delivering motivational workshops.  She was credited to leading relaxation/spiritual sessions through her church.

 

She returned to her original career of physical therapy by taking intense classes at Mayo Clinic/University of Minnesota Hospitals 

to refresh her skills and completed her boards in 1991. Physical therapy career continued until her full retirement.

 

As a physical therapist, Judy touched lives in hospitals, extended care facilities, and over the long term as a pediatric PT serving a three county school system.  

 

Judy loved working as a therapist and was credited with adding a "creative/motivating" atmosphere to the clinical setting. She continued to crave education and medical expertise through constant involvement.  She was a "work horse" and was dedicated to her physical therapy role.  While others her age retired, Judy continued to travel many miles to rural schools and tackled the physically-demanding tasks of therapy for many years.  

 

She divorced Thomas Torbert in 2003 and purchased her first home as a single senior.  She continued to stay very active physically and emotionally through her therapy career and home life.  She thrived on household chores, gardening and birding. She was an active reader and enjoyed socializing with her many neighbors and friends.   She enjoyed attending therapeutic horse back riding events for special needs children and adults.  She continued to love theater and dance programs.  Judy was committed to active brisk walks four times weekly and had a workout area in her home.  She lived by a healthy lifestyle philosophy.

 

She loved travel, visiting the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, mainland US, Central and South America and Europe.  She traveled on many trips as a solo traveler with confidence and joy and also took trips with her daughters that created special memories. She enjoyed visiting her grown children and grandchildren in Hawaii, Michigan, Colorado and Oregon. She moved to Denver Colorado and eventually retired after a long and successful career. She then relocated to Beaverton, Oregon in 2018 to be closer to family.

 

Her survivors include: Daughters: Sue Matzick, Amy Matzick Haneline, Kate Matzick Prakash. Grandchildren: Isaac and Noa Haneline, Leela and Kiran Prakash. Son-in-laws: Aaron Haneline and Puneet Prakash. First husband Kenneth Matzick and her special cat Willow. 

 

Her small but wonderful family gave Judy great satisfaction throughout the years. She would acknowledge throughout her life that pregnancy, birth and raising her girls was her greatest Joy and remembrance. Ex- husband Thomas remained a special friend, confident and soul mate for many years. Her pets throughout her years also brought her much joy! Special Decatur cousins were a significant part of both early and later life, substituting for siblings and supporting her life efforts.    

 

Proceeding her in death were: Parents and Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins and her second husband and friend, Thomas Torbert.

 

Her body will be cremated, according to her wishes, with some of her ashes scattered by her loved ones in areas of beauty with celebration and joy and also buried next to her parents at Graceland Cemetery in Decatur Illinois. The family requests no flowers but welcomes expressions of Joy!  If giving brings you joy consider the following organization to make a donation in Judy's name.

 

https://timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/special-needs-ministry