Fund to be launched in memory of activist Judy Greenwald

Editor's note: This story has been revised to correct the web address for purchasing tickets. The Herald-Mail apologizes for the error.

For those who knew Judith "Judy" Greenwald, her name is synonymous with service to others and a love for Hagerstown, her adopted hometown.

Her death on Dec. 8, 2013, after being hit by two vehicles while walking on a snowy Sunday evening, sent shock waves through the community, starting with her family. 

Judy was 49 when she died. Her husband of 26 years, Daniel "Dan" Greenwald, said he lost his soulmate. Their daughter, Rachel, is now a junior at University of Maryland.

Dan and Rachel struggled with the loss of a loving wife and mother, while other family members and close friends grieved in their own way. 

When Dan and Rachel learned they could establish a memorial fund through The Community Foundation of Washington County Inc., it gave them a positive focus for their grief.

The Judy Greenwald Fund was started as a way to perpetuate the memory of a woman who put others first and to continue the work she started. 

It will create living memorials for three causes that were near and dear to Judy: the Hagerstown YMCA, San Mar Children's Home and a small business scholarship for Leadership Washington County.

"Everybody was grieving in their own way. The fund has provided an outlet for so many," Dan Greenwald said.

Originally from upstate New York, Judy Greenwald was a senior vice president of commercial banking for The Columbia Bank, Hagerstown Trust Division. 

She served on the board of directors for several local organizations, did fundraising for several community projects and was active at Congregation B'nai Abraham in Hagerstown.

A launch event for the fund will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 4 p.m. at Hempen Hill BBQ at Fountain Head Plaza in Hagerstown. 

The Greenwalds enjoyed eating at Hempen Hill, and it will be a celebration that Judy would have liked, including a Judy Martini welcome drink, a great selection of food prepared by Hempen Hill BBQ Live Entertainment, People's Choice BBQ Wing Competition, live auction, and live music by jazz and blues vocalist Kerensa Gray.

Those interested in signing up for the BBQ Wing Competition must register in advance.

"If you knew Judy, she wouldn't want anybody to be crying. She'd want everybody to be happy and celebrate her life," Dan Greenwald said.

"Food-Fun-Friends-Cocktails-Chicken Wings .... I mean you can't get more Judy than that" is how the event is described on the Hempen Hill website, where tickets can be purchased online at www.hempenhillmerch.bigcartel.com

The tickets cost $45 and must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

Dan Greenwald said so many people have come forward and offered to help as they were trying to figure out how to pay tribute to Judy that he's been able to sit back and watch the event unfold through the energy of other people.

"It's been emotionally fulfilling, but incredibly satisfying," Greenwald said.

Jill Fulton, who is helping coordinate the event, remembers meeting Judy at a bridal shower. She had a knack for making people comfortable in large gatherings, and that's what she did for Jill. 

They became close friends after that.

Dan Greenwald said people remember Judy's "extraordinarily strange sense of humor, her laugh" and her willingness to "jump in all the way" when something was important to her.

"There was no end. It just amazed me the energy she had. This gives me a little bit of closure," he said.

"We want it to be very Judy," Fulton said of the event.