Obituary of Judith Goldberg (née Insky)

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Judith “Judy” Betty Goldberg at home on December 27, 2024, just days after celebrating her 94^th birthday.

Judy was born in Montreal, graduated from McGill University, and for many years worked with the London and Middlesex Children’s Aid Society (CAS), first as a front-line worker, then as receiving home supervisor, and was adored by foster parents. She served as CAS President from 1989-1994 during a time of transition and growth, helping to raise funds for and to design their new facility. Judy was a Founding Member of the London Coordinating Committee for Children and Youth. She was active in many volunteer organizations, including leadership roles as President of the Bertha Weinstein Chapter of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO and Founding Chairperson of the London Hadassah Bazaar, which for decades was a beloved and highly anticipated staple in the local community and beyond. Judy served actively on the Boards of the United Way of London, Family Services London and the London Jewish Federation. She believed in her heart and in her actions that the total community that we live in is our responsibility, from the very young to the elderly, speaking her mind and staying firm and true in her values of blunt honesty and sharp perceptions. Judy loved traveling the world on cruises with her husband Ben, sharing and enjoying more than 47 years of growing old together. She was a voracious reader and loved sports (from childhood days in her father Meyer’s iconic Montreal sporting goods store), enjoying skiing and horseback riding in the Laurentians. She shared fond times with her wonderful friends playing canasta, mahjong and bridge.

Judy reflected that her proudest moments are having 14 amazing grandchildren: Rina, Richard (Tanya), Jessica (Aviv), David (Rebecca), Alex (Caroline), Alan, Carly (Jay), Joshua (Abi), Hanna (Gaby), Sarah, Emma (Graeme), Kevin (Ilana), Jake, Molly, and 18 great grandchildren. Judy was predeceased by parents Meyer and Yetta Insky, and sister Miriam Morris. She will be dearly remembered by her husband, Dr. Benjamin Goldberg, her children, Cathy-Ellen (the late Fred Metter) and Barbara, Joel (Lanie), Mark (Susie), Brian (Jody) and Adele (Andy) and her nieces Susan (Elizabeth) and Andrea (Steve).

We are grateful to her family physicians Dr. Morris Butchey and Dr. Robert Butchey, to her ophthalmologist Dr. Bo Li, and to her nephrologist Dr. Faisal Rehman, for their years of supportive care; to her diabetes specialist Dr. Stewart Harris and diabetes educator Amanda Mikalachki; to Dr. Natalie Hertzman and the Palliative Care team; to Rabbi Catherine Clark of Congregation Or Shalom for her pastoral warmth; and to the smiling acts of kindness and skillful dedication of Judy’s personal support worker, Dada Liorenta, for being there for her and for our family.

The funeral will be held at Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street, London, Ontario, on Sunday, December 29^th at 11:00 a.m. 

Logan Funeral Home will be providing a livestream service at the time of the ceremony. CLICK HERE to register for the livestream link. Please follow necessary instructions. 

Interment in Or Shalom Cemetery, London, Ontario

The family welcomes donations to the London and Middlesex Children’s Aid Society or your local children’s aid organization.

A tree will be planted, by the Logan Funeral Home, as a living memorial to Judith Goldberg.