Judith Arlene Kay

Judith was born in Brooklyn, New York and started playing the piano at age four. At nine years of age, Judy gave a recital in Town Hall, New York and played Piano Concerto Number 1 by Grieg. She was immensely talented, and sustained a life long interest in music. She attended Hunter College and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Music.
She moved to California in order to continue her music studies at the University of California Los Angeles. She was a music teacher in the Los Angeles Education System for many years, producing many shows and was beloved by her students.
She worked as a speech therapist for Mort Cooper. This led to a talk-in Radio Show in Los Angeles. She married and adopted her daughter Susan in 1971. Unfortunately, the marriage failed, but she went on to perform in Musical Theater in the Los Angeles Area.
In 1984 Judy and her daughter Susan packed up and moved to Seattle, Washington to pursue a job offer which did not pan out. She eventually accepted a teaching position as a music teacher in the Seattle School System. She became involved in the musical theater scene in Seattle. She played many roles including Yenta the Matchmaker in “Fiddler on the Roof” for which she won critical acclaim in the Seattle Press. She was also featured in the role of Hannah in “Crossing Delancy” at the Center Stage in Seattle.
Her television career encompassed a variety of roles including the role of Spud’s mother on the Spud Goodman Show. She built a following and was very popular. In addition she was appeared on the Molly Goldberg Show, was a featured guest on the Today Show on NBC, and was a television teacher on KNBC in Los Angeles.
In 1994 she wrote and produced an original Musical Comedy entitled the “Long Yellow Crayon” which was co produced by Michael Pryor (actually a former student.). The show played at one of Seattle’s finest hotels for a number of weeks.
Judy continued her in interest in Musical Theater for the rest of her life. She continued to play the piano in many cabarets around the Seattle Area.
Judy was the sort of person who could sit down at a piano, and immediately light up a room with her large presence.
Sadly Susan passed away in 2012 leaving Judy absolutely bereft. With her indomitable spirit she overcame ovarian cancer the following year.
She continued to lead a very busy life right up to the end. She leaves behind dozens of friends and admirers who loved her.