[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 171 (Thursday, October 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E909-E910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF JUDY CHRISTOFOLIS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2020

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of my dear friend, Judy Christofolis. Not only was she my 
close friend, she was also a community leader and a successful 
businesswoman. Over the last ten plus years of her life, she exhibited 
her incredible spirit and determination as she bravely fought 
metastatic breast cancer. Sadly, she lost her battle on March 12, 2020. 
I will forever cherish my memories of her.
  Judy was born on January 19, 1962, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to 
Gerald and Martha Morford. She proudly attended school in Warren 
Township in Indianapolis at Moorehead Elementary, Woodview Junior High, 
and graduated from Warren Central High School in 1980. Judy attended 
Butler University, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in 
accounting and finance.
  Judy began her career as a CPA with Geo. S. Olive, a regional 
accounting firm. There she met her future husband, Ted, whom she 
married in 1986. Judy later was controller at Baker & Daniels law firm 
but eventually founded her own accounting business, Windsor Accounting 
Services, which later became Redwood Accounting Services. In 1998, she 
and Ted started Redwood Investment Advisors, an independent fee-only 
investment advisory firm. In 2011, Judy joined my campaign team, and 
served as my treasurer since 2012.
  Judy and I met as members of the Junior League of Indianapolis, an 
organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism,

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developing the potential of women and improving the community through 
the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Judy was an 
exemplary and active member, serving as treasurer twice and was a board 
member for multiple years. She used her financial skills in the 
volunteer world, developing the investment strategy for the Junior 
League's endowment, making the Indianapolis chapter one of the most 
successful chapters in the country. The Indianapolis Art Center (IAC) 
benefitted from her accounting, financial and investment skills during 
her tenure on its board. Ted and Judy enjoyed taking clients and 
friends to ArtSparkle, the summer party supporting IAC. In addition, 
Judy was on the board of Indianapolis Day Nursery, Indiana's oldest and 
largest early childhood education non-profit.
  In the last decade of Judy's life, while she battled breast cancer, 
she was a founding member of the Indianapolis American Cancer Society 
Guild and served as its treasurer. The Guild's mission is to support 
the Central Indiana office of the American Cancer Society by generating 
awareness, raising funds and providing support for community outreach 
programs to achieve the shared goal of saving lives by helping people 
stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. This mission epitomized 
Judy's fight against breast cancer.
  Judy was known for her compassion and friendship and lived her life 
with passion. She was cherished by many, including her dear friends in 
her book club as well as the ``Kool Kat'' Club, made up of long-time 
high school girlfriends. Every Christmas, she entertained clients and 
friends at a much anticipated and beloved party, exclusively catered by 
Judy. She learned her skills from studying at the Culinary Institute of 
America in New York. The cookies and dog treats were especially prized 
by those fortunate enough to attend!
  Judy had a love for animals that was unmatched. Often times, Judy 
found dogs but sometimes they found her as was the case with Jasmine, 
one of her favorite strays. Ted and Judy's beautiful homes were always 
full of dogs adored by them both.
  Judy spent summers at Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana as a child, 
and later she and Ted built a beautiful home on Syracuse Lake which was 
always full of family, friends and fun. I was pleased to be a guest 
there several times.
  She was a loving wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend who will be 
missed deeply by so many people. She was strong and courageous 
throughout her entire fight with breast cancer, never lost her 
positivity and fought hard until the very end.
  I stand today in honor of the wonderful life my friend Judy lived. I 
know so many will miss her and remember her as a shining light in their 
lives. I send my sincerest condolences to her husband Ted, her fur 
babies Jasmine, Big Boy Joe, J.B., Josie and the late Brady, her 
brother Richard and his family and all who were fortunate enough to 
know her.

                          ____________________