The Sierra Club comes together to mourn the loss of the beautiful soul and kindred spirit Judy Schriebman, who passed away from cancer on Sunday, November 20th. Judy was a long-time member of the Sierra Club and Chair of the Marin Group who was vehemently passionate about water and the environment. She was an incredible force for good in her community and will be deeply missed.
In honor of Judy’s life and the impact she had on all who knew her, our Chapter would like to share some reflections and thoughts:
Judy Schriebman’s collaborative spirit is one of her many talents. As a Club leader, Judy excelled at welcoming new members and cultivating friendships. With an open mind to all possibilities, Judy consistently volunteered to research the facts and draft documents which significantly impacted both the natural world and marginalized communities. Often, Judy would thank her co-authors with half a dozen eggs from her backyard coop or arrive at a meeting with home-baked treats. To be on Judy Schriebman’s team was a gift in itself.
- Judy Rogers
I was so impressed by Judy Schriebman in so many ways. Despite her busy schedule, Judy always made time to talk about my projects as if she didn't have enough on her own plate. She walked Miller Creek with me near my home and pointed out the invasive plants and even started cleaning them up! I learned so much from her. Judy smiled easily and it was contagious. She possessed the remarkable combination of great leadership skills, wisdom and kindness. Judy was so authentic and always made me feel heard. I am so grateful to have known her. Judy’s commitment to the planet, her kindness and friendship will always be with me, and I will miss her dearly.
- Sharon Farrell
Judy has been my mentor on numerous environmental issues as well as trained me for the Chair position, schooling me on all the endless policies and standing rules of the Sierra Club. She has been a tireless leader and advocate for the care, health and conservation of Marin’s biodiversity, riparian zones and waterways, to name a few. Her skills combined with her understanding of local and California policies have helped win Sierra Club’s positions on many local environmental issues throughout the years. I will always remember her zoology wizardry, science fiction geekishness and quick wit on top of her boundless love for the amazing place we live. Most of all, she was a cherished friend who I will deeply miss.
- Jinesse Reynolds
Judy Schriebman in her role as Chair for the last few years has been the backbone of our Marin ExCom. With her tireless energy, her keen intellect, her biology background, and passion for being a protector of our natural world, she has been the voice leading so many of our initiatives. She is an ace researcher to articulate a problem and then goes that much further by suggesting constructive solutions and a way forward. She leads with welcomed collaboration blessed by a wry sense of humor. Judy exemplifies why community and political leaders, as well as the voting public, listens up when the Sierra Club makes an endorsement. Thank you, Judy!
- Susan Hopp
Judy was kindness personified, a teacher, mentor, and friend who guided us through some difficult times. She made site visits with those of us who took the lead on a project so that she could visually and spatially understand the physical site and problems involved. Working with her using Google Docs and a speakerphone editing letters was a unique experience, with each of us learning how to better use this tool, while sharing gales of laughter over our mistakes, misunderstandings about the research, wording, computer or phone glitches, and even over our final shout, “Are we done yet?”, followed by “Yes!”. Editing was a priceless experience because the process was hard but fun with her pithy verbal asides. We got to know and appreciate each other even if we couldn’t see each other. Judy is and will continue to be sorely missed by each and every one of us who worked, played, walked and laughed with and grew to love her.
- Mickey Allison
Judy was a true force of nature, and I shall be forever grateful to the Sierra Club for giving me the opportunity to work by her side for so many years. She loved making good trouble; she fought countless courageous fights as a champion for both people and planet because she understood the connection between all things at a level few others do. She brought her intellect, her humor, and her passion to every effort. I deeply admired Judy's willingness to do the hard work. As a leader, she never asked others to do anything she wasn't willing to do herself. Judy was one of the kindest people I've known; her generosity of spirit was a motivating inspiration for me and so many others. I am brokenhearted by the loss of a woman I was proud to call my friend. Our community has lost a local hero—but we are all the better for having known her. May her memory be a revolution!
- Barbara Bogard
Judy was an amazing brilliant mentor, role model and friend to me. We walked neighborhoods for campaigns, we brainstormed how to save our planet and most importantly I was witness to her utmost passion "to never give up.” Deep in her work I found Judy to be a joy, her enthusiasm, her humor, her anger about injustice and her vision to keep on keeping on to save our fragile planet. Judy was especially always giving of her time and energy to make our environment a better place. She was an incredible teacher to us all. I feel blessed to have known her. She will be sorely missed.
- Pam Meigs
Judy was an amazing person who gave her life to the environment and to social justice causes. She was always working to do what is right and had a very engaging way of encouraging others who disagreed to shift their opinion. She was a wonderful leader and Chair of the Sierra Club Marin Group, and will be missed more than anyone could ever imagine. I feel blessed to have known and worked with Judy. I hope her memory inspires others to fight on behalf of the environment and social justice causes.
- Holli Thier
Judy was an irreplaceable force for nature here in the North Bay as our Chair of the Marin Group and as an elected official on the board of the Las Gallinas Sanitary District. May we never forget the passion, dedication, and conviviality that Judy brought to all of our activism. And may it inspire us to stay the course that Judy helped us chart.
- Chance Cutrano
Judy is survived by her husband Jeff, son David Schriebman, daughter Robin Schriebman, her sister Jeanne Taylor, and brothers, Dave Webb and Steven Webb. There will be a celebration of her life in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Watershed Alliance of Marin.
You can view Judy’s obituary online here.