Obituary of Judyth Ellen Hodgkinson
The news of Judy’s death should be received with a combination of sadness and comforting realization that she is at peace. She died on Sunday, March 19, 2023 comfortably in her sleep at the Uxbridge Hospital after a difficult final year. She faced the ravages of cancer with the same courage and determination that she displayed throughout her amazingly active life. It began in Montreal, continued in Winnipeg and blossomed in Toronto. Particularly significant was her transfer from York Mills Collegiate Institute to Central Technical School, a move that expanded her artistic interests and obvious talent. She leaves behind collected works of art that are a family treasure. Professionally, she became a graphic artist at CTV, and her time there would have made her more famous if the secret identity of the star of “What Bugs You?” had been revealed. CTV’s popular lifestyle show “Live It Up” (1978-1990) featured a regular segment so named and featuring a “bug” known only as “Miss Judy”. The “bug” was, in fact, Judy Hodgkinson, and she said she loved every minute of the 13 years in that “bug” costume. More than that was her love of horses. As a little girl, she rode her first horse at Camp Oconto, which will celebrate 100 years in 2024. That life-changing experience led Judy to the Eglinton Pony Club at Annandale Farm, and then to Leitchcroft Farm in Thornhill, and finally to her own farm, a Durham Region landmark she named “Who’ll Again Hills” after she purchased it in 1996. It has been maintained to this day, for the benefit of horses, their owners and riders, and a team of workers. Judy loved the horses she boarded and trained, and particularly those she herself owned over the years--Toulouse, Woodstock (Woody), and Elvis--to name three that competed with two devoted dogs--Burghley and ZZ--for Judy’s attention. And then there were the many students she coached and nurtured at equestrian events throughout North America. Beyond her own success in three-day events, Judy’s legacy will be her ability to bring those students to their full potential on horseback and in life. For all the love she gave, she received her greatest love from her late parents, Adele and George Hodgkinson, her brother David, sister-in-law Sharyn, niece Lauryn and nephew Dennis. In addition to two “near-relatives” Lynsey Rowan and Jo Tudor— “horse daughters”, if you will--Judy was lucky to have close friends too numerous to list fully. But none was more important throughout her life, and to its final day, than Greg Paull. In recent years, her late-in-life partner Wayne Cook and her “guardian angel” Norine Blyth were invaluable companions. Judy’s family members are indebted to them, beyond words. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the THORNE FUNERAL HOME, 109 Laidlaw Street South in Cannington (705-432-2672). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the S.P.C.A. or any other organization or charity dedicated to the love and care of animals would be a fitting way to remember Judyth Ellen Hodgkinson. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.thornefuneralhome.ca
