Judy Cunio - Online Memorial Website

Judy made a profound impact on history. I was a witness to that incredible moment and it changed my life forever. 

In 1974 at a very large gathering of people with developmental challenges in a very crowded room filled with people who already left the Instituion and people who had not, there was an exciting conversation happening.  Everyone in the room was searching for a way to be recognized for their individual talents and abilities.  Everyone present wanted some kind of group to belong to so that they could help one another feel good about themselves.  The decision was made to unite together, form a group and create a group identity.  

There were lots of rather silly names that were proposed for the new group.  Names like "The Sunshine Kids" or "The Happy Acres Group" were  proposed but quickly dismissed.  After a very long time, Judy raised her hand.  As she began to slowly rise to her feet, the room got completely quiet.  You could hear a pin drop when Judy opened her mouth to speak.  Everyone wanted to hear what Judy had to say and they all respected her individual struggle to be understood.  Judy calmly looked around and acknowledged her peers with a smile.  Slowly and clearly she said ..."Our name should say who we are.  We are PEOPLE FIRST and our handicaps are secondary".  Immediately there was a resounding round of applause by everyone and "PEOPLE FIRST" was born.

That was the moment that Judy changed the world and changed me forever.

A few years ago she and I talked again about that moment in history.  We both remembered that day vividly and we both had a great time re-living it.

Judy did not suffer fools. Whenever I offered a lame bureaucratic excuse for anything (hopefully not too often) she always called me on it, usually pointedly but often accompanied by humor.

There are many enduring images of Judy-----testifying in the legislature, sitting through endless meetings and always waiting to interject the perfectly timed and right-on question or comment, leading self-advocacy discussions both in Oregon and nationally, and many more.

My favorite image is her racing along Salem streets (often on the street, not the sidewalk!) , and cranking that scooter at what looked like 70MPH (if she could have i think she would have).  She was getting on with her life in her fiercely independent way.

I am so grateful for her life and the many ways she made the world a better place for people with disabilities and their families.

Judy is my sister and although I didn't actually meet her in person until I moved to Oregon, I have enjoyed our online chats which have been numerous.  During these chats and messages, I found in her, compassion, humor and a passion for her family and her work.  She was one of the busiest people I have ever met.  I know she has touched many lives and will be truly missed.  Judy, as we always ended our chats.. lotsa love~~
I will miss you.

 I met Judy within the first month of my life, fifteen years ago. Judy blazed the way for me to be the person I am now. She showed my how to treat people who are different and who have different perspectives. She will be greatly missed by my mom (Jill Murray) and all the people who's path she crossed. I love you Judy!

My aunt judy was one of the coolest people i know.. full of humor and loved to laugh. if you were to pull a prank on her or tell a joke that was good or bad she would get a kick out of it cause she'd find some humor in it some where.. i got her a ballon for one of her birthdays a few years back and it was snoopy and woodstock for the peanuts and snoopy was laughing and it said "your how old?? hahahahahahahaha" and laughed about that for along time she loved that and hung it on her wall in her home office.. Me and judy had a joke that we did back and forth for along time, years, im not sure of how it started but we would tease each other about who was gonna pay the bills in her home, and i told her i didnt know who was, and then she would say"i thought when you said  when you gave me this house, you gave me the house and not the bills, if i knew that i wouldnt have moved in" and id tell tell her i didnt know what to tell her cause that was the deal and she signed for it..  and we would acted mad at each other and if i were "mad" at her i would "take my house back" and if she were "mad" at me she would "give the house back and say she didnt want it anymore and then want to "stay in it for a few more years to figure out what she was gonna do.. " 
          judy was a strong and independent person by her own choice and would not let anyone take that away, my aunt judy was and is still loved by many people and remembered everything, she would remember our jokes better then me, most of the time she was the one who started it back up.. she never forgot a birthday or an event.. she gave me money every year for my birthday and she would give me my age in money and id always say "what are you gonna do when im 80 jude?" and she said "stop at 20" and laughed.. ill miss my aunt judy for the rest of my life and will always remember our jokes and times together.. i love you aunt judy...