Judith Pines Fried, 1926-2025
When I was in 9th grade at Beverly Hills High School (believe it or not) I sat next to a certain Daniel Fried in English class. I don't remember anything we tried to learn. Dan is the only thing I remember from that class because it began a life-long friendship with him, his parents, and his three younger siblings.
I thought they were the perfect family, so different from mine. Such interesting people! All of them so smart!
I got to know Dan's mother Judith then, and we stayed friends until she died on July 25 at almost 99 years old.
It would take too long and make me too sad to write all the ways that she changed my life. Most important, though, it was a friendship that did not judge, that lasted through the highs and lows of each, one where each could tell the other anything, and know it was always safe to do so.
Judith was diagnosed with breast cancer about 10 years ago. She met it head-on, with humor and fortitude, and with all the curiosity and love of life that she faced everything with. She celebrated every moment of life - her children's successes, her own triumphs, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her birthdays and theirs. She never forgot my birthday, or my kids' birthdays. She made her whole life a celebration.
This was no fair-weather friend. Having someone you can rejoice with, whine to, work out tough stuff with, share anything with, that is a blessing. You don't see it coming, and when it's gone it leaves a gigantic hole.
Judith was determined to live until November 2026 in order to Vote Blue one more time. She didn't quite get there. To honor her memory, GET OUT AND VOTE.
Judith collaborated with her daughter-in-law Deena Shoshkes and her son Jon. Deena set two of Judith's poems to music, Jon provided the video from images Judith provided. A brave, beautiful result.
Long Time Dead, 2021
Lyrics by Judith Pines Fried (October 15, 1926–July 25, 2025)
Music by Deena Shoshkes
Deena Shoshkes: lead vocal, guitar, keyboard
Jon Fried: bass, lead guitar, background vocal
Yuergen Renner: drums
Photos of New Jersey and the Hudson River by Judith Pines Fried
Old Woman, Old Woman, 2022
Lyrics by Judith Pines Fried (October 15, 1926–July 25, 2025)
Music by Deena Jill Shoshkes
Performed and recorded by Deena
Video by Jon Fried with images selected by Judith
Here is a poem a friend sent me. Judith would have liked this one, I think.
Molecules
© Pete Sutherland
Of all the foolish guesses about the afterlife,
(and for which, fog lights and hazards on folks, it’s all guesswork out there)
I vote for this:
Spirit, finally granted a pardon from its earthly drama
instead of floating into a waiting limo and whisking off to the heavenly afterparty,
hangs out with us, their people, perhaps for a few hours,
perhaps a fortnight, reluctant to wave the final goodbye, sure,
but also, perhaps, to be seen, to show off their new wings.
Stuck in our three dimensions of living, striving, grieving, of attempting
to patch up our hearts that they might pass inspection for another season,
we sense molecules in motion, nothing more.
But if we saw something – the flash of sun on their wings –
we would surely lay down the dull tools of this life and shout:
“Oh, what beautiful wings you have! How did I never notice?”
Read about Anthony Toepfer | Read about Joe & Mary | Read about Dorothy Muson