Judith "Judy" Diane Lishman (née Bauld)

It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Judy on Sunday morning November 23^rd in Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 82.

Predeceased by her parents Hugh and Grace Bauld and survived by her loving husband of 60 years Donald, her children Paul (Wendy) of Mississauga and Anne (Michael) of Ottawa; her grandchildren Holly, Sarah, Mark, Kate, Mallory and Owen and extended family in Kitchener-Waterloo and Burlington.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1943, Judy spent her childhood living across southern Ontario, as Hugh moved the family often to pursue his career in manufacturing management.

Judy attended Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener where she excelled in academics and led a variety of clubs. She graduated with a BA and BEd from the University of Waterloo, served on the executive of multiple organizations, often as the sole woman, and was the President of the Laureate Society. She began her career at the age of 20 in Hamilton and then Toronto, teaching senior high school English and History.

While Judy met Don in middle school, the two didn’t have their first date until a Beatles concert in 1963. They quickly fell in love and married in Kitchener in June 1965 and welcomed their first child Paul in 1970, followed by Anne in 1973.

Over the next decade, Judy prioritized raising and advocating for Paul and Anne, who suffered from severe allergies, asthma, and learning differences at a time when awareness and resources were limited. While her family was her top priority, she still found the time and energy to remain active outside of the home, first as the General Manager of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and then, once relocating to Edmonton in the late 1970’s, pursuing her Honours year in English Literature from the University of Alberta. It was there that she wrote her first book – a biography of Annie Gale, the first woman city councillor in the history of the British Empire. Upon returning to Ontario, she resumed her teaching career in Sudbury and then Ottawa.

While teaching, Judy continued with her extracurricular activities including photography, art, and as editor of the local community newspaper. She also led a number of local causes, including successfully organizing the local community to combat a proposed bridge between Ottawa and Hull, which would have caused significant environmental damage. Upon retiring from teaching, she continued with her photography and art, and dedicated several years to researching and writing her last book, The Circle Broken, about life from both the Hudson's Bay Company merchants and indigenous people's perspectives on the Canadian prairies in the late 1800’s.

In her retirement years, Judy enjoyed meeting friends at book clubs, attending film society and the NAC, and travelling extensively with Don. She also loved her summers with her family and friends at their cottage in Fort Coulonge, Quebec, where she engaged with the local community, made new friends, and shared her photography of the Pontiac Region at exhibits.

Always a true feminist, Judy was a champion of women's rights, her local communities and her family in all her life's endeavours. She will be missed by so many.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Judy on Friday December 12th at Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, starting at 1:00 PM with eulogies at 2:00 PM followed by light snacks and drinks. Those unable to attend in person are invited to attend virtually via livestream starting at 2:00 PM 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Aphasia Centre of Ottawa or her long-time charity, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).