Judith Lynn Olsen Shah

Judith Lynn Olsen Shah passed away August 3, 2023 after a valiant 16-month battle with brain cancer. The insidious disease that ultimately took away her sight, her strength and some of her memory never touched her beautiful spirit, her infectious smile and her sparkling sense of humor. She fought till the end and left us all with a blueprint on how to handle a challenging prognosis with strength and grace.

Judy was born in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, NY to Arna and Gus Olsen. She had 3 siblings – Diane, Karen and Gordon. Her childhood was split between Brooklyn during the school year and summers on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. She attended Katherine Gibbs and Marymount College, graduating with a BA in Business. Her professional life was spent in law firms ultimately assuming the position of HR and office manager at Windels Marx in NYC before leaving to take on her most fulfilling role – that of a mother.

She took pity on her husband Raj and much to his delight agreed to marry him in 1990. Four years and six years later, the two most important beings in her life entered the picture – her sons Alexander and Cameron. She loved being a mom and her kids meant everything to her. From the smallest details to the broadest issues, she was always focused on our happiness and well-being. With a memory like a steel trap and a flair for organization she kept our family’s lives running like clockwork. The two phrases most uttered in the house to any inquiry about the location of lost items, appointments, birthdays, documents – really anything – were either “hey Jude” or “ask Mom”. We can only hope that she is not looking down to witness the current state of a house that is absent from her guiding presence.

Next to the family in Judy’s heart were animals. She loved them and they loved her. She was the mom to all our pets and always the favorite lap in the house. We were fortunate to make two trips to Africa – which had been wish list items for her and became some of her favorite memories.

While her physical presence is gone from our lives, her memory and spirit will continue to fill our home. From the meticulously detailed files, memory boxes and photo albums to the copious holiday decorations that would transform our home every December into a living Christmas card – she will always be with us. She was a wonderful spouse, a great Mom and a good friend and will be terribly missed.

We ask that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to her favorite cause which was animal rescue. The links to two organizations that she was particularly passionate about are attached.

Faithful Friends: https://faithfulfriends.us/donate/donate-in-memory-honor/

All 4 Paws: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/all-4-paws-rescue