Tributes

JUSTINE RODNEY SOLOMON CINCINNATI- On 12/30, 2021, Justine (Juddy) Solomon had her hair and nails done, went out to lunch, attended a lecture, had her 5:00 refresher, ate dinner and spoke with loved ones. She retired to bed and did not awaken, passing away on 12/31. At 97, Juddy departed life as she lived it–with grace, confidence, compassion, surrounded by love and definitely on her own terms. Juddy (“not Judy”) Rodney was born in 1924 in New York City. After high school, she briefly attended William & Mary in Virginia, a real adventure for a New Yorker in those days. She returned to New York City to care for her ailing mother and met her future husband, Julius (Jeff) Solomon, whom she married on Armistice Day, 1945. Jeff soon convinced Juddy to move to his hometown of Lima, Ohio (Culture Shock!); they lived briefly in Lima and Hamilton, Ohio before settling in Cincinnati for most of their 52-year marriage that ended in Jeff’s death in 1997. The couple raised their three boys in Wyoming. In addition to raising her three sons, Juddy pursued different professional interests. She recorded audio books for the blind, became a local tour guide, sold cosmetics, practiced speech therapy and became an accomplished realtor. Known city-wide as an avid golfer, Juddy accumulated many trophies and, more important, golfing buddies during her 50+ year membership at Losantiville Country Club. Although not its most frequent visitor, Juddy was a long standing member of the Valley Temple in Wyoming, where Jeff was once President. Always an adventurer, she and Jeff traveled to many countries, often accompanied by Jeff’s dad. After the children were grown, Jeff and Judy began spending winters in Sarasota, Florida. She later lived in Hyde Park, most recently at the Deupree House and the Kenwood Star. Taking up residence at the Kenwood-Star, Juddy led an active life of regular Bridge and chess games, lectures and outings.. She kept her great intellect and sharp wit, and put on fresh makeup to star in “Sundays with Juddy” family Zoom calls. Juddy's life at Kenwood Star was enhanced greatly by her caregiving team--Mechelle Crutchfield, Elizabeth (Beth) Nelson, Karen Bell and Bonita Miller for whom we are forever grateful. Juddy was adored by family members and friends, too many to mention here. Everyone that met her became a “Juddy Gusher,” drawn to her genuinely kind, caring, generous and joyful spirit. She leaves her sister, Archa Emerson of Port St. Lucie, Fl and her son, Joseph and wife, Hilary. She leaves her three sons and their families–Rod Solomon and Nancy Griesemer of Oakton, Virginia; James and Marjorie Solomon of Weatogue, Connecticut; Paul and Laura Solomon of Woodstock, New York. Grandchildren include: Julia and Jeff Ensor (Maryland); Justin Solomon (Massachusetts) Jarrett and Samira Solomon (Connecticut); Liza and Ted Helfrich (Georgia); Jiana Solomon, (North Carolina); Gabriel and Maliqua Solomon (New York}; Lana and Eduardo Montero (Massachusetts); Jesse Solomon, (New York); Jahson Solomon (New York); and Jaime Solomon (New York). The great grandchildren count is 8, soon to be 9. She also leaves her best friends and Cincinnati First Cousins, Mary-Bob and Jack Rubenstein and Lynne Mathews and their families. A small, private burial service will be held this week at Spring Grove Cemetery. Arrangements will be made by the Weill-Kahn Funeral Home. A celebration of Juddy’s Life will occur later this spring or summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Jewish Family Service or a charity of the donor’s choice. The family will have a Zoom Visitation Wednesday, January 5 at 5:00 P.M. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89809244153 Juddy Solomon Eulogy by Rabbi Austin Zoot - Jan. 5, 2022: You can know a lot about a person based on how others react to her. And Juddy was a person who had a magnetic personality. All around her, everyone who encountered her left the experience feeling positively impacted, leading to those affectionately called “Juddy Gushers,” those who couldn’t stop gushing about this wonderful, joyous person. Juddy was so many things to so many people. She was deeply committed to her family, and cherished every opportunity to be together. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and brought laughter to others, especially her family during Sunday Zoom calls in recent months. She was a golf enthusiast, a very athletic individual, who was known to get easily distracted if a game was on a tv in too close proximity. Her love of music was well known, although apparently her skill did not match her enjoyment quite as much as her athleticism did. And Juddy was always in a hurry. There was a world full of exciting things to do and people to see, and she raced from one to the next with a passion and excitement for life that was an inspiration to us all. Even on her final day, she accomplished more on her to-do list than most of us get done in a week. Among all of the impacts she made, the greatest relationship was with her husband, Jeff. They met on a blind date in New York while he was in the service, and were described by their children as soul mates. A metropolitan girl like Juddy falling in love with a man from Lima, Ohio certainly came with plenty of moments for…shall we say juxtaposition, and the family has a great many stories of the culture shock of life in the Midwest. But the care Jeff and Juddy shared was apparent to all who saw them. Jim described them saying that “they obviously loved being together,” a true token of the strength of their partnership. Through their adoration for each other, they got to travel the world, enjoy a lifetime of Saturday nights celebrating life, and building a family together that is a testament to their strength as a couple. Juddy reveled in her children, Rod, Jim, and Paul, as well as her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of the greatest gifts a person can give to their children is the support of letting them choose their own path, something that Juddy did for her sons. Rod remarked yesterday that he felt empowered by both of his parents to do what he wanted with his life, and felt he could make the best decisions for him. When he had the chance to choose between a job in DC or in Cincinnati, it was Juddy who said that he should follow the job that made the most sense for him, even though it meant he would be further away form her. Juddy was a person who prioritized family in the most important moments, and leaves behind those who will remember her with devotion and fondness, carrying on her legacy of closeness for generations to come. Juddy’s family did not only extend as far as her bloodline, though. Her worst days on earth were those when she wasn’t engaged with friends, surrounded by people who she cared for, and who cared for her. The phone rang constantly, with Juddy working diligently to keep up with all of her correspondents, and remain busily engaged with the people who were most important to her. In Jewish tradition, we speak about an Eishes Chayil, a woman of valor. We read in the book of proverbs: “A woman of valor is a rare find! Her worth is far beyond that of rubies, her husband puts his confidence in her, and lacks for nothing…she is clothed with strength and splendor; she looks to the future cheerfully. Her mouth is full of wisdom, her tongue with kindly teachings.” A woman of valor might be a rare find, but Juddy Solomon certainly was a rare, wonderful person in her own right. She brought light and joy to each of us, and we are better having had her in our lives. May her memory be forever a blessing to us, and to all who meet her through our eyes.

Tributes

Justine R. Solomon

August 11, 1924 - December 31, 2021