Judy’s Giraffes

March 27, 1950 – February 18, 2025

When Judy was 18, she joined a youth group retreat that took her across the ocean to the UK. As part of the trip, they visited a safari park—and that’s where it happened.

For the first time in her life, Judy saw giraffes up close. Not in books. Not on TV. But right there, surrounding her in a quiet field. She was struck by their presence—tall, elegant, and gentle beyond words. She carried a camera, but it was the moment itself that stayed with her most: the way the giraffes moved, the stillness in the air, the feeling of being part of something bigger.

From that day on, giraffes became a part of Judy’s story. Over the years, they found their way into her home—figurines, paintings, trinkets, gifts from people who knew what they meant to her. Each one a reminder of that encounter, and of the joy she felt being in the presence of something so quietly magnificent.

This little giraffe you’ve received is one of hers now. A keepsake of Judy’s wonder, her warmth, and the stories she left behind.

Thank you for remembering her with us.