Judith Braunfeld was born in 1937 and grew up in the Boston suburb of Newton. Judy, as she is known by her friends, was especially close to her grandmother, “Mammy.” She developed her love of music, singing with Mammy and had her first solo at age 8.
Judy’s deep relationship with her grandmother fostered a love for the company and wisdom of elders. After a divorce in her thirties, she went back to school and graduated from the University of Illinois (U of I) with a degree in Gerontology, and a minor in voice. During this time she met her current husband, Peter, and they created a blended family with her three children, Alison, Peter, and Kristen, and Peter’s two children, Ken and David. Alison is now a special ed teacher, Peter is an actor, Kristen is a minister, Ken is a city planner, and David is in sales.
Over the years, Judy has worked at various nursing homes and was the Community Director on Aging for the city of Indianapolis. She also ran a student foundation at the U of I, through which she created a women’s shelter, a food coop, and multiple programs that brought students and older adults together. She has spoken on aging to audiences across the country, including New York’s, Chautauqua and the U of I. She also ran her own consulting business serving aging parents and their children, for forty years before retiring. Her love of singing has continued throughout her life. She performed in many well known groups, her favorite being the Paul Hill Chorale.
The genesis for this book began when she lectured at the Chautauqua Women’s Club on, “Caring for Caregivers.” These poems come from her years of supporting seniors and their caregivers as they face the emotional challenges related to aging and her personal experiences with her husband, Peter who is now 92.