Judy is a high-energy woman with a passion for life. Her good friend Lucille Froese enthusiastically says, "Judy does not just do something with her life, she does everything." Judy works full time at the Next to New Store in St. Paul as a sales clerk and a security guard. She has her own unsubsidized apartment, which she keeps very clean. She stays fit by riding her bike, playing baseball and swimming in the summer, and skating, skiing and curling in the winter. Judy also makes time to volunteer as a member of the St. Paul Community Council and the Positive People Society.

Judy and her twin sister, Darlene, were born 39 years ago in the nearby town of Bonnyville. She was raised in a big family with 5 brothers and 5 sisters (11 children all together) on a farm near Bonnyville. During the day, Judy and Darlene would attend a day care in Cold Lake. Later they both went to Edmonton where they attended school at the Glenrose, learning to read, write, do math, swim and cook. Later Judy attended L.Y. Cairns School where she took speech therapy and learned crafts, math and reading. Her twin sister, Darlene, currently lives in a residence in Vermilion.

After she finished her schooling, Judy returned home to Bonnyville where she worked in the Dove Centre doing a variety of jobs like making flowers, planting in a greenhouse, selling clothes in a boutique, and housekeeping at the hospital. She was active in sports and often traveled to St. Paul. One day her father exclaimed "Judy, you spend so much time traveling to St. Paul! Why don't you just move there?" Judy thought it was a good idea and moved to St. Paul.

With the help of St. Paul Abilities Network, Judy got a job house keeping at a hotel and later started as a trainee at the Next to New Store. They quickly saw her potential and it was not long before she was hired to work at the store full time. For extra income she collects bottles and cans. Judy is a very clever shopper. Her friends say that she knows the prices of everything in every store.

Judy loves to travel. She has been on holiday trips to Disney world, Germany and Hawaii. She has traveled to Halifax for track and field, and to Kansas for an equestrian competition. She is planning to take a trip to Mexico soon.

Her latest interests are computers and the Internet.

Is it any wonder that Judy received the Merit Award at last years PDD conference!