Fifteen

On this day, fifteen years ago, we lost a wife, a mother, a nana, a sister, a friend to thousands. Judi Osborne was the cornerstone of our lives.

Judi Osborne 1948-2004

We may have lost her physical presence, but we continue to celebrate Judi’s amazing energy, her intelligence and her exemplary character.

Judi was a remarkable woman who brought joy to countless others… whose presence could light up a room full of people… and whose wonderfully welcome laughter could be heard with delight across a crowded room or sports stadium, and sometimes even down the street.

She is remembered also for her boundless compassion for women in need, for wearing flip flops in winter to the fitness classes she taught at the YWCA, and for guiding non-profit leaders to “discover for themselves” the skills they needed to fix budget, policy and personnel issues in numerous organizations across Canada, from Victoria, BC to St. John’s NL.

Her country honoured her with the Canada 125 medal and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, which she took in stride while never losing sight of her goal of assisting women and their children

We shall always miss her… we shall always grieve her loss. We know there is no such thing as closure… but we are working on healing, as she would have wanted.


23 thoughts on “Fifteen

  1. Thinking of you, your children, and grandchildren today as we remember Judi. Sending love your way. We lost Warren 45 years ago and I still feel ripped apart by his passing. Understanding your difficult time as each anniversary date comes and goes, and as each major event elicits sadness coupled with joy. Judi was a lovely person and she is missed by all of us who knew her. Hugs… Marilyn

    Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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  2. I feel like Judi is watching you, so proud of your accomplishments and the life you have carved out for yourself.

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  3. There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

    Lao Tzu

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  4. Thank you Jim for sharing this – Judi was an amazing and inspiring woman whose life impacted many people in such a positive and empowering way.

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  5. Thank-you for sharing your heartfelt understanding of loss, Jim. Very consoling to read your words. Sending love, Lyn

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  6. No words I might put together could come close to expressing my feelings for Judi and for the grief that continues for you, together with the gratitude for a wonderful life together.
    With Gail’s passing almost three years ago, I have come to understand that our loved ones will always be with us and will be in our thoughts every day. They would want nothing less than for us to enjoy the remaining life with which we are blessed. This we can do by allowing our cherished memories to enrich each day.

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    1. Many thanks Gayle. We are fellow travellers on this road to recovery. We both know there is no such thing as closure, but in time Nature can provide us with a merciful measure of healing.

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