Judith Kay Dalke Harrison, 1942-2015
The Pinecrest Academy community celebrated a memorial Mass for Judy Harrison on August 15, 2015, at 10 AM at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel on the school campus. Family and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pinecrest Academy Scholarship Fund.
Skip Granger, recalling memories of days at East. My three worst experiences with Judy
definitely start with the suspension. I still remember Mr. Thompson specifically saying that we could go home at lunchtime and get my clarinet before orchestra practice, a fact that he later denied after our run-in with Mr. Kirby in the parking lot. My loss included losing my class office the following year. Fortunately, Judy forgot our other three bad memories. The first was waking up in the car totally innocently at 3 AM (“Wake Up, Little Judy, Wake Up”) and taking 
her home. The second was making out in the back seat of her folks’ Chrysler 300 en route to the lake for a family gathering. Third was dropping the rear end out of my Mercury convertible on Pershing Avenue in front of the Tiller home by the roundabout. Anyway, isn’t that why they called us teenagers! We weren’t really bad considering what goes on nowadays.
But now, the good parts far outweigh the “bad.” The fun times at the Hangar after games, the part
y at Carol Weaverling’s, Rue de Sans, shopping for Globe gold accessories for Judy’s dressing table, swimming at Crestview Country Club, and all the great parties there. Judy’s wonderful family (It didn’t hurt that they got along so well with my parents.) and all our fun times together. The special graduation event at Friends University, where the rotund girl sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow…Why, oh why can’t I” and Judy wanted to tell her! Did we ever laugh!
But mostly, there was Judy. She was the prettiest girl I had ever met, a fact that was confirmed when she was selected as the Queen of DeMolay at our Winter Ball. I was so proud of her in her beautiful red velvet gown. There was Judy’s personality, the other reason everyone loved her. As pretty on the inside as on the out. Looking into her eyes, walking hand in hand. Teenage infatuation is very special. I tried to bottle it in Starry Night wines, but failed to do so, though some say I came close. Anyway, those are all special memories.
I am a fortunate man indeed. I married the perfect lady, Mary Ann, and my first love, Judy, was one of the finest ladies whom I have ever known.
Tributes from Friends and Parents Whose Children Were Judy’s Students
- I loved and admired Judy. My life has been enriched forever knowing and teaching with her.
- She touched so many children and parents over the years with her gentle, loving and nurturing ways. She was the perfect teacher for a generation of first graders.
- Two of our children have been blessed by having Judy as a teacher. Her love, kindness, and extra attention were treasured.
- We all loved Judy so much. She was a sweet, loving, caring person. I know that God is taking care of her.
