Hey everyone, friends to bears and all. Popping in on a Friday with a sad announcement. I just learned that my dear friend, friend to bears, and especially friend to Princess Pinky Bao Bao has departed from this world.
Judy Young was among the first of the panda people I met IRL when I stepped out from behind the ‘toons to go to the National Zoo to meet the real life panda fans for the first time in 2012. Tai Shan had already moved to China. Pinky Bao Bao had not yet been born. I remember coming to the zoo, going to the Panda House and Cyndi Anderson picked me out of the crowd with her innate panda sense.
Judy was among the people who I met that day, there in the back room at Lillie’s restaurant, just beyond the gates of the zoo. In the 11 years since we met, Judy has been a staunch supporter of all my creative pursuits. She hosted me several times when I visited DC. She was an extremely talented photographer, and like the panda whisperer Mollie Rivera, had an unerring instinct for soulful photographs of our beloved bears.
The real world is a little poorer today. I am reminded that life can be short. That we never know when our last chance to tell someone how much they mean to us and how much they have added to our life. I am reminded that I have one last person in my corner, having been so careless as to let them slip off the earth with no word of farewell.
I hate that the pandemic years robbed me of almost 3 years of seeing my friends at zoos around the country and the world. I’m mad that I won’t get to see her when I hope to visit our pandas one last time before they go to China. I’m sad she won’t have another chance to go to China and see the pandas.
Fuck cancer.
If you feel like it, please feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Judy Young in the comments. I know I’m not alone in being devastated at the news that she is gone.
Panda on
Bob T Panda
I totally understand how you are feeling. I am shocked. I used to see Judi everytime I travelled to DC. We used to go to the zoo to see our beloved pandas and then go for Indian food lunch. I will miss her so much. She was an amazing person!!! May her soul rest in peace š.
I stayed with her several times on my visits to DC. I can’t believe she won’t be there on my next visit. she always knew the best places to eat. The world is a poorer place without her.
So sorry that you lost a dear friend š¢. Having been through loss of family and friends myself I know how important it is to tell people you love them and how much they mean to you. ā¤ļø
It seems like I am in the phase of life where I keep losing people. I am part devastated and part envious that she won’t have to sit through the next election cycle.
What beautiful words describing our dear friend Judi.
Even though I never met Judi in person she made me feel like I had known her forever. She was so caring, giving, always with wonderful comments about posts and photographs. I will miss her, her photographs, and her zest for life. A light has gone out and I am sad beyond words for her family and friends.š
Thank you. I can’t believe she is gone.
Dearest Judi. My birthday will be a little more empty without her to share it with. Iām sure Bobby, Lulu, and Carolyn were there to greet her. I will miss her. šš
I am so so sad that she is gone. I feel lucky that I knew her in person, and unlucky that I didn’t see her more often. What a loss to the panda community.
I did not meet her IRL but loved her beautiful soulful photos. I guess she is now longer in pain. Rest in power, Judi.
She was such a kind generous person. I am so lucky to have enjoyed her hospitality when I visited DC.
I miss my friend. The last fun we had was going to a goat bingo party in June.
I am so sad for you. I didn’t even know she was so sick and going through another round of cancer. When my friend Jude died, I cried so much that I thought I would totally dehydrate. FUCK CANCER!!!!!!
Judi was a friend through Facebook. I did not have the privilege of meeting her in person but I felt her warmth and kindness in all her comments to my posts and whenever I asked if I could share or use a photo she had taken. And my oh my, she had that knack for great captures – her photos were so full of life. It was a shock to hear of her passing. The panda-loving community has lost a true and loyal devotee. Fly high, Judi. Your many, many friends will dearly miss you.
Thank you for writing. Judi was really at the center of panda world for me. Going to DC will never be the same. I’m sure the DC panda group is reeling and I’m sure the panda family is feeling the loss too.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. I’m a Gen Xer with a close circle of of younger Boomer friends (aka Generation Jones), and cancer seems to be striking that age group with a vengeance. (Two of my friends and the brother of my best friend. Only one of those people doesn’t have a terminal diagnosis). I didn’t know Judy, but I’m sure she was as wonderful as you describe. Please accept my condolences. If we had pandas at the Bronx Zoo I’d invite you for a visit.
Yes, cancer has been cutting a wide swath through my friends and relations. I guess I am getting to the age where I should expect it, but I don’t have to like it. I lost another close friend last fall, along with a bunch of acquaintances. Judy really was a true old soul. I hope she is hanging out with departed pandas now.
Anne, I had a similar experience. After we became fb friends, in 2015 she invited me to come and stay with her and was the ultimate hostess and tour guide. I remember her telling me that you had also been a guest, and I only knew you as the creator of Pinky. I was so impressed that I had followed a celebrity, Bob T Panda, in her guest room. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul.
Judi was one in a million. Thanks for checking in. It’s kind of funny how this community formed on the inter webs crossed over into real life, isn’t it?
Condolences.
Thank you