Judy Pearse

1955 - 2022  (66 years)

• Name	Judy Pearse
  Born	30 Dec 1955
  Gender	Female
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-227830
  Died	24 Sep 2022	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I227830	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	John "Jack" Pearse,   b. 23 Feb 1926,   d. 21 Aug 2013, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 87 years)
  Mother	Helen Hulse,   b. 1924
  Family ID	F62272	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Lifetimes: Despite devastating crash, Waterloo's Judy Pearse was an indomitable spirit By Valerie Hill Special to the Record Judy Pearse was a remarkable woman from a remarkable family where hard work and determination were the guiding lights. Judy was born on Dec. 30, 1955, one of four children of Helen and Jack Pearse. Her father was an internationally recognized leader in recreation and the founder of the Huntsville-based Camp Tawingo in 1961. In 1973, Judy entered the University of Waterloo's recreation and leisure studies, where her father had been a founding faculty member of the department. After three years of study Judy had an opportunity to finish her final year at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, but her studies would be halted following a devastating car crash. On Oct. 2, 1976, Judy was sleeping in the back seat of a car driven by a friend. They were headed to a recreation conference in Nova Scotia, but missed the turnoff. The driver did a U-turn and was broadsided by a transport truck. The truck collided closest to where Judy was asleep, causing catastrophic injuries. Her parents were told she wouldn't survive the crash. Judy remained in hospital in a coma for three months. Afterwards, medical staff told her she was unlikely to ever speak or walk again. They didn't know who they were talking to. Fuelled by their grim prognosis, Judy fought hard to regain her voice and her legs, relearning all the skills she needed to reclaim her life, though she would endure years of painful surgeries and therapy. "She had huge physical and mental challenges, yet her strength of character and her determination carried her through the next 46 years," said friend Joanne Bender. Despite having so much difficulty speaking, Judy insisted on being part of any conversation, said her brother Mike Pearse. She'd repeat her thoughts over and over to ensure everyone understood. "She'd had 14 operations on her voice box," he said, adding the crash also softened her a bit, whittling down the sharp edges she always had in her youth. "She was a social butterfly," said Mike. "Everywhere she went, she knew people. She loved people." After leaving the hospital in Halifax, Judy was transferred to Grand River Hospital in Kitchener before being moved to a rehabilitation centre in Toronto. She would eventually be able to walk and talk, living in an adult supportive housing complex where she not only lived but thrived for 35 years. Judy was not able to complete her degree or hold a job, but that didn't stop her from volunteering at the home where she lived and where she developed strong friendships. "She retained her incredible wit and joie de vie, although communication was forevermore to be a challenge," said friend Tom Hiller of her remarkable recovery. "She was invariably, simply a wonderfully fun and positive person to be around despite her ongoing challenges." George Hunsberger knew the family and remembers Judy as the girl who had it all: beauty, brains, personality, and then had it taken away following the crash. "However, her spirit survived and allowed her to remain a very positive force for the rest of her life," he added. Judy's father Jack had the same attitude as his daughter. As a university coach, he believed in inspiring others, making them believe in themselves. Judy used this approach to fuel her own recovery. Twelve years ago, as her physical abilities deteriorated, her family moved her back to Waterloo from Toronto, first to an apartment then eventually into long-term care. In the home, where Judy was a couple of decades younger than most other residents, she continued to be that bright spark, never feeling sorry for herself, not even after Jack died in 2013 and her sister Patsy in 2016. Her mother Helen, now 97, has suffered from dementia for several years and for a while, they lived in the same care facility. None of this dampened Judy's spirit. Brother John Pearse remembers finding an old letter from Judy to their sister Patsy, written when she moved to Nova Scotia. Judy wrote of how happy she was. "That was just two days before the crash," said John. "Judy was a 1,000-watt bulb," said friend Alan Quarry. "She used her energy, before and after her serious injuries, to brighten up the world." In their youth, it seemed evident Judy would do great things, recalls Hiller. Judy had been Waterloo Collegiate's student mayor and prom queen as well as a high-achieving gymnast and dancer. The woman who was known for her indomitable spirit died on Sept. 24. Few who met her, who heard her razor wit and oftentimes irreverent comments, would ever forget the experience. "She certainly left a significant mark on me," concluded Tom. Valerie Hill is a former Record reporter. She can be reached at vmhill296@gmail.com. "Lifetimes: Despite Devastating Crash, Waterloo'S Judy Pearse Was An Indomitable Spirit". Therecord.Com, 2022, https://www.therecord.com/life/2022/10/17/lifetimes.html. Accessed 18 Oct 2022.

  
  

• Event Map

  Died - 24 Sep 2022 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth