Her obituary which will appear in tomorrow's Statesman:


Judy Ann Rogers,
Austin Texas
Judy 23, 1954 – February 1, 2008

Judy lived because of love. She especially loved to travel and to explore. Judy found a home in the wilderness, where she could interact with animals, plants, and all of nature’s wonders. She loved to dwell with the spiritual force in the “Great Green Cathedral.”

Infinitely curious, Judy loved learning and read constantly. She was a talented storyteller who loved passing on what she learned. She often found herself the center of attention, but she used that opportunity to encourage others to find their voice and join her. She loved laughter and finding the humor in the world around us.

Her love for these things and her family—especially her niece, nephew, and great-nieces and nephews—kept her going despite formidable challenges. She persevered until she was free to explore the wilderness that lies beyond our comprehension. Judy continues to learn and love in this new dimension while her spirit remains in our hearts.

While Judy had many accomplishments and earned advanced degrees and received many awards and accolades, what was most important to Judy and those who love her was how she touched the lives of others.

She is survived by her partner for 13 years, Bonnie Jean Brown. She is also survived by her mother Jewell Rogers and sister Bambi Hester.

Services will be held, Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 600 East 50th Street, Austin, TX 78751. Phone: 512-459-5835

In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations “In Memory of Judy Rogers,” to Trinity United Methodist Church at the above address.

I found out this morning that my dear friend Judy passed away from cancer this weekend. I've spent most of the morning crying and reminiscing with co-workers about her. Thinking about the sweet thank you gifts she gave me, for the words of gratitude and support, for the dedication she felt towards the citizens and public water systems in the state of Texas. Her dedication was so strong that she put her chemo treatment on hold for a few weeks to handle recon to assess public water systems in the aftermath of Rita. Her words and pictures of "The Forgotten Storm" as she called it serve as a reminder of the hard work we put into that major and catastrophic event.

I'm sad that I hadn't seen her in months, as she'd been in too much pain to have me over for dinner. Sorry that we never had the chance to sit down and document several of her experiences, including the aftermath of Oklahoma City, Luby's in Killeen, and Hurricane Rita.

Of all the selfish emotions I'm feeling, what I feel the most is relief -

That she is finally at peace, and out of the pain that she had experienced for so long. The doctor had given her three months last spring, and yet she kept working until May 2007.

She will be deeply missed by many.

***********************
From Natural Resource, June 2006:

The Exceptional Customer Service Award is presented annually to one employee.

2005-2006 Winner Judy Rogers—OPRR, Water Supply Division

With Hurricane Rita bearing down on the Texas coast, Homeland Security coordinator Judy Rogers had just received treatment for her recently diagnosed cancer. But she went to her management and requested, in no uncertain terms, to be allowed to be part of the disaster team, and, after she received a doctor's OK, they agreed.

Despite the treatment, Rogers made a significant contribution to the TCEQ's preparation, response, and recovery efforts for the water systems in the area of Texas affected by Rita. Before the hurricane struck, she produced preparedness and response documents for the area's water systems. On the same day the hurricane made landfall, she was performing reconnaissance flights to assess the structural damage to water and wastewater systems.

Later, she developed recovery plans for systems damaged by Rita, suspending her medical treatments so she could provide the best plans for helping systems produce adequate and safe drinking water. Her management said no one else in the agency could have done a better job pulling together such a program, under the stress and confusion created by the hurricane, to help water system operators.

Rogers received her bachelor's degree from Texas State University, her master's degree in forestry from Stephen F. Austin, and her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. She loves to travel, to camp and hike, and to study weather patterns and events ... particularly hurricanes!

What do the two have in common? A lot when it is Frozen Pea Friday!
Check out Susan Reynolds' blog. Find out how the Twitter community has come together for not just one person, but for an important cause by creating the Frozen Pea Fund.

What's With the Peas?

I know that enough of you have to deal with the loss of a friend or loved one due to cancer, so I'm asking you all for advice -

What do you get for someone who is dying? My coworker and friend, Judy, is "retiring" tomorrow - she's going on disability. She's decided to quit fighting the system, and making herself miserable over whether she'll get sick leave pool. She and her life partner came to the agreement that is she only has three months to live, why be miserable? She's not bedridden just yet, but the pain is constant and bad enough that she's maxed out on her Oxycontin dosage and takes another medication every two hours for the breakthrough pain.

I was thinking that a gift certificate to restaurants in the area, along with To Go menus would be good. And I just remembered that a friend works for Eat Out In, so perhaps he'd set me up with some GCs as well.

Other suggestions?

Why am I so exhausted when I don't feel I've done much of anything today?

Could be starting out the day with a mammogram and annual exam, although the nurses and doctor are caring enough. Finished up the day with CMS training for work. It was the in-between that got to me...

Funeral service at St. Luke's on the Lake was a bit surreal, such a beautiful view from the pews. Blue skies and white clouds, and Lake Travis as well. The officiating Reverend was excellent - first thing he said was to let the children be children, and wiggle and cry or sit on the floor. Sydney colored on a memory page, and the children were asked to step up to the casket during the children's prayer. The Reverend clearly and briefly explained what would happen next with Gabe - he will be cremated and his ashes spread in the Remembrance Gardens at Riverbend Church. I have to ask my friend and co-worker, Teri, whether her husband will be performing the cremation - he owns and operates one of the few crematoriums in Austin, and it means a lot to him when he knows a little more about those entrusted in his care. Children are always the hardest for him.

I wanted to say "BRAVO!" when Reverend Jameson said something to the effect of:

Today is not a day for platitudes. This is not the day for someone to tell you "God needed another angel" because he doesn't. Or "That it is for the best" because it's not, or "It'll be okay" because it isn't. Today is for grieving a loss...Not to do so takes away from the worth of a life.

*************

At work I often speak with angry or upset citizens who are concerned regarding particular contaminants in their water, and whether it directly caused the cancer and subsequent death of their loved ones. It's hard to discuss, because carcinogens and cancer itself is such an elusive thing. Is it a genetic predisposition? Environmental exposures? Congenital abnormalities?
I wish I knew the answers, as do so many.

I share their grief. I mourn the loss of Angela, of Robin, and of Gabe. I worry daily that Judy will lose the battle she's been fighting on and off again (and on again now). And I feel ashamed for the brief moments I'm uncomfortable with the discomfort of the mammogram or the pain of the blood draw. Those seconds are nothing compared to theirs, and I am grateful to whatever God or the universe for my good health.

As part of volunteering at TourWatch 2005, I've met a lot of hard-working and inspirational people. One of those is Rob Sartin, whose son Spencer was diagnosed a year ago with cancer. Spencer is currently going through chemo, but hopes to participate in the Ride for the Roses in October. Rob has nothing but positive energy for Spencer, including hope and encouragement for, and to hear him speak about his son is overwhelming.


Please take a couple minutes to learn more about this dynamic duo at http://www.robsartin.com/blog/ . If you can help Spencer reach his goal by donating even just a few dollars, that would be wonderful! Donations can be made at http://www.robsartin.com/donatenow/ , or come on out and visit with Spencer and Rob at the TourWatch 2005 this Saturday and Sunday between 8am and noon.

Thanks,

Debbie
Volunteer Coordinator
TourWatch 2005

I just received what shall now be known as a "bad boyfriend" call, which some of you may be familiar with. You know what I am talking about girls-
"I was thinking about you, and realized "what did I do?" You were a source of stability in my life, and I took it for granted. You are a wonderful, sweet, funny...I don't deserve you in my life"

And so on...only this time it wasn't the usual suspects- It was my GIRLFRIEND Angela, who I haven't heard from in over two years! She told me "I am just like those ungrateful boyfriends we've had- you were so sweet to put up with my whining and no-shows".

Yes, there was one night during SXSW a few years ago where she and Lisa kept me waiting at home for hours, when we supposed to go out. Turns out they were busy partying with the boys where they were staying. I've learned since then to do my own thing, and anyone who wants to join me had better be ready to keep up, or at least be at the right place at the right time.

It's always been easy to forgive Angela. I don't have pity, but rather sympathy for her daily struggles. I am amazed that she is still alive- I've lost count of how many times she has had cancer, and the last time the doctors didn't think that she was going to make it.

She has had a tough life- she lost her leg to cancer when she was about 12 yrs old, double masectomy at 28 yrs of age, and the last and worst bout was when she was 39. All the radiation had weakened her bones, and her arm broke while she was walking with her crutches. She left Austin and has been living on her parents ranch in Buffalo, Texas, for the last couple of years, recuperating. Angela's condition is also the strongest argument I can offer for medicinal mj. Without her smoke, she wouldn't have made it through the chemotherapy due to the nausea and lack of appetite.

It was a pleasant surprise to hear her voice after all this time. I worry that I'll never hear from her again, that she won't win another fight. She's a strong woman, in mind and spirit. I remember how horrified someone was when I asked for their defective windup Godzilla, with only one leg. "It's for a friend, she only has one leg as well". I gave that toy to Angela, and she loved it! She could get us into screenings before everyone else, or at least get in first to save us seats. She said that considering all the challenges she's had to face getting around, she'd better get to take advantage of her disability once in awhile.

As luck would have it, I am meeting some of the girls at the pub for a pint, so Angela will be able to join us before she heads out of town tomorrow. What a pleasant surprise!