A different kind of love story: Remembering Judy Kendall in Morristown; service set for Aug. 1

John Cunningham and his friend Judy Kendall at 2010 season opener of the Community Theatre in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Cunningham and his friend Judy Kendall at 2010 season opener of the Community Theatre in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Judy Kendall speaks about her dear friend, John Cunningham, midway into this video.

By Kevin Coughlin

It was not your typical love story.

He was an author, determined to keep writing despite his accumulating infirmities.

She was an admirer,,  determined to help him achieve that goal.

John Cunningham was just shy of his 97th birthday when he died in 2012.  Judy Kendall passed away on Monday, at home in Morristown. She was 79.

A memorial service for her is set for Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at 11 am in the Morristown United Methodist Church, at 50 South Park Place.

Judy was well known to a generation of schoolchildren in Mount Olive, where she taught at the Mountain View Elementary School for more than a quarter century and earned Teacher of the Year accolades.

John Cunningham and his companion Judy Kendall at 2010 season opener of the Community Theatre in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Cunningham and his companion Judy Kendall at 2010 season opener of the Community Theatre in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

But we came to know her in recent years, as the companion of  “Mr. Morristown,” as Cunningham sometimes was called. He penned more than 50 books about local and state history.

Judy was a fan long before she was John’s friend. Enamored of his crisp prose, she used his books in her social studies classes.

Decades later, marveling at his still-sharp mind, the widow made sure the widower’s last years were active, enabling him to enjoy a victory lap of sorts.

They traveled to England. They made pilgrimages to the Yankees spring training camp in Florida.

Judy accompanied John to speaking engagements at libraries and historical gatherings, to concerts at the Methodist Church, and to the premiere of a public television documentary made from his last book.

John published The Uncertain Revolution at 92 and was a consultant on the film. It was screened at his beloved Community Theatre —  the subject of an earlier book.

Fondly remembered as a  “rascal”  who appreciated an occasional ribald limerick, John gave every appearance of enjoying being escorted about town by a vivacious woman 21 years his junior.

In a video we made a few years ago (see above), Judy described her fellow Yankees fan in terms which, in retrospect, apply equally to her:

“He’s got great enthusiasm for everything she does, and for life. He is interested in everything around him, from sports to theater to history.”

Judy Kendall. Photo courtesy of Dave Sullivan
Judy Kendall. Photo courtesy of Dave Sullivan

We were surprised to learn that Judy battled lung cancer for 13 years. Whenever our paths crossed, she was cheerful and upbeat. After John’s death, her focus was preserving John’s literary legacy. She lobbied, unsuccessfully, for his election to the New Jersey Hall of Fame. 

If that’s not love…

Judy faced her illness “with a strong will, sense of optimism, dignity and grace that amazed and inspired her doctors, fellow patients and family,” according to her obituary.

Her strength was evident early on, when she worked “two and sometimes three jobs” while raising her three kids. Somehow, she also found time “to help with homework and make sure her children got to games, practices and other activities.”

Judith Townsend Kendall is remembered as a devoted grandmother of seven, an organizer of many  family reunions by the sea, and as a voracious reader.  Born in Rahway, she graduated from Roselle Park High School in 1953, and from Middlebury College in 1957.

Judy is survived by her three children: George and his wife, Jane, of Basking Ridge; Carolyn Stoller and her husband, Harry, of Sudbury, MA; and Doug and his wife, Juliet, of Washington, DC.  She also leaves behind  grandchildren Andrew, David, Jack and William Kendall; Michael and David Stoller and Miracle Kendall.

And she is survived by siblings James Townsend and his wife, Edith; John Townsend and his wife, Ruen; and Janice Herzog and her husband, Frank; as well as by four loving nieces and many grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or the Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.

The late John Cunningham got a standing ovation from the North Jersey American Revolution Round Table in Morristown in September 2010. Judy Kendall is to his right. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The late John Cunningham got a standing ovation from the North Jersey American Revolution Round Table in Morristown in September 2010. Judy Kendall was to his right. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

3 COMMENTS

  1. I’m so sorry to read of Judy’s death. She was a kick! I sit here giggling as I think of the two of us eye rolling and laughing helplessly at John’s deadpan delivery of scandalous comments. She was such a role model: elegant, smart, lively, fun, not a single pretension. Oh, to be like Judy Kendall!

  2. I only knew Judy through her (and my) friend, Ilene Manahan, who wrote frequently to me about Judy and the fun times they had together. Thank you, Kevin Coughlin, for writing such a beautiful and touching story about Judy and John Cunningham. What a wonderful pair they made. I send Judy’s family my deepest condolences from 1,500 miles away (Dallas, TX). Despite never meeting Judy in person, I miss her, too.

  3. Judy’s sudden passing was a shock, even to those of us who knew very well her most recent medical challenges. Despite having to use oxygen almost continually over the past few months, nothing could keep her from all she enjoyed doing – whether jazz, concerts and shows, movies, lectures, visiting with family and friends, church – or even just running chores; she insisted upon doing them herself, despite pleading offers by friends to do them for her. But that was Judy! She loved life and refused to let her medical problems keep her down – or to GET her down. She was always upbeat and fun to be with. It’s been difficult getting used to her not being with us. How we already miss her!

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