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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E909-E910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF JUDY CHRISTOFOLIS
_____
HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life
and legacy of my dear friend, Judy Christofolis. Not only was she my
close friend, she was also a community leader and a successful
businesswoman. Over the last ten plus years of her life, she exhibited
her incredible spirit and determination as she bravely fought
metastatic breast cancer. Sadly, she lost her battle on March 12, 2020.
I will forever cherish my memories of her.
Judy was born on January 19, 1962, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to
Gerald and Martha Morford. She proudly attended school in Warren
Township in Indianapolis at Moorehead Elementary, Woodview Junior High,
and graduated from Warren Central High School in 1980. Judy attended
Butler University, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in
accounting and finance.
Judy began her career as a CPA with Geo. S. Olive, a regional
accounting firm. There she met her future husband, Ted, whom she
married in 1986. Judy later was controller at Baker & Daniels law firm
but eventually founded her own accounting business, Windsor Accounting
Services, which later became Redwood Accounting Services. In 1998, she
and Ted started Redwood Investment Advisors, an independent fee-only
investment advisory firm. In 2011, Judy joined my campaign team, and
served as my treasurer since 2012.
Judy and I met as members of the Junior League of Indianapolis, an
organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism,
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developing the potential of women and improving the community through
the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Judy was an
exemplary and active member, serving as treasurer twice and was a board
member for multiple years. She used her financial skills in the
volunteer world, developing the investment strategy for the Junior
League's endowment, making the Indianapolis chapter one of the most
successful chapters in the country. The Indianapolis Art Center (IAC)
benefitted from her accounting, financial and investment skills during
her tenure on its board. Ted and Judy enjoyed taking clients and
friends to ArtSparkle, the summer party supporting IAC. In addition,
Judy was on the board of Indianapolis Day Nursery, Indiana's oldest and
largest early childhood education non-profit.
In the last decade of Judy's life, while she battled breast cancer,
she was a founding member of the Indianapolis American Cancer Society
Guild and served as its treasurer. The Guild's mission is to support
the Central Indiana office of the American Cancer Society by generating
awareness, raising funds and providing support for community outreach
programs to achieve the shared goal of saving lives by helping people
stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. This mission epitomized
Judy's fight against breast cancer.
Judy was known for her compassion and friendship and lived her life
with passion. She was cherished by many, including her dear friends in
her book club as well as the ``Kool Kat'' Club, made up of long-time
high school girlfriends. Every Christmas, she entertained clients and
friends at a much anticipated and beloved party, exclusively catered by
Judy. She learned her skills from studying at the Culinary Institute of
America in New York. The cookies and dog treats were especially prized
by those fortunate enough to attend!
Judy had a love for animals that was unmatched. Often times, Judy
found dogs but sometimes they found her as was the case with Jasmine,
one of her favorite strays. Ted and Judy's beautiful homes were always
full of dogs adored by them both.
Judy spent summers at Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana as a child,
and later she and Ted built a beautiful home on Syracuse Lake which was
always full of family, friends and fun. I was pleased to be a guest
there several times.
She was a loving wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend who will be
missed deeply by so many people. She was strong and courageous
throughout her entire fight with breast cancer, never lost her
positivity and fought hard until the very end.
I stand today in honor of the wonderful life my friend Judy lived. I
know so many will miss her and remember her as a shining light in their
lives. I send my sincerest condolences to her husband Ted, her fur
babies Jasmine, Big Boy Joe, J.B., Josie and the late Brady, her
brother Richard and his family and all who were fortunate enough to
know her.
____________________