Judy L. Hasday

Friends and family said good-bye to Judy L. Hasday, a woman with a generous heart and close connections to many, especially her mom. Judy was a media specialist with more than 25 years of diversified experience. She attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls, then Temple University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master’s Degree in Education. She worked at TVSM in the promotions department, responsible for interviewing film stars for upcoming editions of The Cable Guide magazine. Her most memorable interview was with Christopher Reeve for his role in the movie Superman and then again for the movie Somewhere in Time. She continued to work in a variety of photography roles, at an architectural firm, and later at Chelsea House Publishers, where she supervised the acquisition of art for educational young-adult books. She worked for a short time as Senior Editor for Jobson Publishing, focused on the eye care market. Judy also was a freelance editor and writing professional for many years. She has 30 books published in her name and won several awards from The New York Public Library in the category of Books for the Teen Age.

Judy loved life and loved to have fun. She was adventurous. She treasured all things photography and reveled in photographing many sites around Philadelphia. Her aerial shot of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was on the back of the City’s phone book for years, and she captured Boat House Row in every color. For several years, she was a volunteer photographer for the National MS Society, which used many of her pictures in their advertising. She also was an event photographer and committee member for Access to Row & Paddle Philadelphia and a member of a dragon boat team for several years.

Judy thoroughly enjoyed dolphins and Orca whales and perpetually took pleasure in pets, most recently Sassy and Callie. A favorite oasis of hers was the beach in Atlantic City, where her grandparents owned a condo that eventually passed down to her and her mother. For some time, she served on the condo board, holding the presidency as well. She loved the boardwalk but treasured walking the shoreline and, of course, taking photos there.

Musical and other performances plus travel also brought Judy extensive pleasure, especially when she could enjoy them with close friends and her mom. Trips to Alaska and Hawaii were some of her all-time favorites. Performances at the Mann, Walnut Street Theater, and other venues connected her with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Adele, Josh Groban, and so many others.

In her later years, she began painting using many different additives to paint in 3D. Judy is survived by her brother Robert Hasday, her nephew Benjamin Hasday (McKenzie), great-niece Mia Hasday, and cousins. She is predeceased by her beloved mother Shirley Hasday; her father David Hasday; her grandparents, Jean and Ervin Fairbanks and Molly Hasday; and her sister-in-law Barbara Hasday. 

Family and friends are grateful for the care Judy received from kind, patient staff at several facilities. Relatives and friends are invited to funeral services on Friday, February 7th, 2025 at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors Suburban North at 11:30 AM precisely. Interment to follow at Montefiore Cemetery. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream is available here. Following services, all are invited to Fairmont Rowing Association, 2 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA 19130.