Judith Alexandra Macdonald, a long time resident of Laguna Beach, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, with her two daughters, Rhea Foley and Rebecca Judy, by her side.
Born Dec. 2, 1945, in Pasadena, Judy was the newest member of a prominent Pasadena family and was raised amongst exotic animals, which her sculptress mother used as studies. With a pet hyena, jaguarondi, baboon, and many other creatures as childhood friends, she formed a pronounced bond with animals for the entirety of her life. Her teenage years were molded by exotic trips to Europe alongside her grandmother, traipsing from country to country by train with pet turtle “Miss Tur-Tel” in tow.
With a personality and smile larger than life, Macdonald was perhaps most well known for her time singing back-up for the Mama’s and Papa’s, along with other bands of the era. Her marriage to Ted Bluechel, a drummer in the band The Association, resulted in a daughter, Rhea, and a continued life of extravagance in Malibu with their pet otters, Toots and Otto.
In the mid ‘70s, Macdonald left the music scene and moved with her daughter to Laguna Beach, where she quickly became a colorful member of the community. It was here she married a second time to local dentist Mark Judy and took on her infamous name Judy Judy. In 1979, Judy and Mark welcomed a daughter into the world, Rebecca. The couple divorced in 1990.
Later, Macdonald started a new career teaching CPR at the former South Coast Medical Center where she worked for years educating local firemen, police, and lifeguards. It was there that she met her soon to be husband, John Falk, a Laguna Beach police officer. Their marriage ended in 1998. Although Macdonald was proud of her work and loved her local officials, she was most proud of working with the Anaheim Angels. An avid baseball fan at heart, her most prized possession was a baseball she asked to be signed by not all of the players, but by all of their wives after training the team one year.
Her smile, laugh, and sense of humor are her legacy, and we thank her for the joy and laughter she brought to all of our lives.
Macdonald is survived by her two daughters Rhea and Rebecca, son-in-law Mike Foley, two grandchildren Shaylee Foley and Jake Foley, and her brother Alex Macdonald.
A celebration will be held in her honor at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
What a beautiful obituary. May her family find solace and love witin the community that housed their best years.
So sorry to hear about Judy’s passing through her brother Alex. Judy’s mom, sculptor Julie Macdonald, was married to my father Bill Hood for some years, and at one time I served as a nanny for Rhea when Judy lived on Wonderland in Laurel Canyon. It was sad to know that the family is so scattered these days that I would only learn of Judy’s death months later and only because I called Alex to let him know I’d be in his neighborhood. I send my love and blessings to Rhea and Rebecca (who I have never met) and the rest of the family. Rest in Peace, Judy. May Cody, Gran and the rest of the crew great you with love and a smile to match your own.
Dear Rhea and Rebecca,
I am so saddened to hear of your mother Judy’s passing. Though we haven’t been in contact
for a while, I have often thought of and told stories of Judy. There were
many days of hanging at the house in North Laguna and chatting the day away. Times of coaching
baseball together and going for walks and looooong telephone calls.
A beautiful lady and a fun friend! Will keep fond memories of her in my heart. So sorry for
all of our loss.
We were Judys neighbors in Laguna Beach in the late 90’s. She was a wonderful human being that we were enchanted to know. We miss her laugh and her personality dearly.