In Memory of Judy Widener

Yesterday we received word that a member of our BTG tribe has passed. We honor Judy Widener, who worked with us from 2003 – 2004. If you are a resident of KCMO and use curbside recycling service, you have benefited from Judy’s contribution to our community. She enthusiastically managed Bridging The Gap’s public education campaign, Recycle First, which we conducted for the City of KCMO’s curbside recycling program.

Judy created and trained a volunteer speakers bureau that did presentations to numerous neighborhood organizations and community groups, she personally did numerous presentations and outreach events, and more. It was a tireless year-long effort and she rose to the challenge with a smile.

We honor you, Judy, and are grateful for your work not only with us, but with all communities throughout the metro. We are better because of you.

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Memorial Gathering for Judy Widener
Tuesday, January 24th, 6-8 pm

(Come and go as you are able.)
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Spong Common Room

Judy Widener, former Volker resident and past president of Volker Neighborhood Association passed away last week. She was an energetic, and effective president, co-organizing the first Dance in the Park production and implementing the first Volker Neighborhood banners during her first years on the board. She served as president from 1999-2009. (Complete obituary below.)

Please join family and neighbors in remembering Judy.

Text of the obituary in Monday’s paper:

Judith (Judy) Widener 58, Kansas City, passed away January 19, 2017. She was born on January 13, 1959, in Catskill New York. In 1977 she graduated from Spingboro High School in Ohio.

After pursuing a career in broadcasting at KCTV 5, she went back to school and graduated with both a Bachelors (1997) and a Masters Degree (1998) in Speech Pathology from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. Judy went on to become a Certified Life Coach and Authored the book “Power For a Lifetime”.

She was President of the Volker Neighborhood Association from 1999-2009, a co-organizer for Dance in the Park, and worked with Bridging the Gap in conjunction with Kansas City, MO’s Energy Conservation Program.

She received awards for Undergraduate Clinician of the Year from CMSU’s Dept. of Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1996, and the Board President and Leadership Award from Neighborworks America in May 2005.

Judy is preceded in death by her sister Dorothy Rapp. Survivors include her father Verlin Foltz of Middletown Ohio, and mother Patricia (Emilio) Garcia of West Carrolton Ohio , her sisters Jean (Gary) Deuser of Indianapolis, In., and Brenda Foltz of Dayton, Ohio, and her brother Wayne (Sandy) Foltz of Lebanon, Ohio, and many other friends and family members.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Volker Neighborhood Association, 3926 Mercier, KCMO 64111.