Born in Montana, Judy emigrated with her young American parents to Africa as a baby. Her worldview was shaped by growing up in small towns across Namibia and South Africa before returning to the United States at age 20.
Judy's academic journey took her across the United States—from undergraduate studies, and a master's degree in Washington, clinical training at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, and rural Maine, to completing her doctoral degree in Ohio. Her educational path culminated with a post-doctoral fellowship at UCLA. For many years, she served as a professor in the Psychological Sciences Department at Loyola Marymount University, where she is now honored as Professor Emeritus.
Throughout her career, Judy has developed and led numerous impactful programs including a grassroots literacy initiative for under-resourced beginning readers, innovative programs supporting individuals living with chronic pain, research studies examining brain correlates of cognition, and workshops creating community and support for the bereaved on their healing journeys.
Today, Judy serves as an advocate and peer mentor for individuals affected by grief and persistent health conditions. Her work focuses on supporting those facing significant life challenges. Drawing from her own experiences, she strives to create resources that honor various aspects of healing, including the spiritual dimensions often overlooked in modern approaches.
As an author, illustrator, and popular speaker, Judy's work is spiritually grounded in the themes of faith, hope, and love. She understands that true healing involves integrating our losses into our lives while embracing the freedom to ask fundamental spiritual questions—finding meaning beyond our suffering rather than merely seeking to overcome it. In her latest book, "Comfort," she combines her photography with carefully chosen scripture and quotes, creating visual and textual meditations that resonate with readers and gently guide them toward their own paths of healing. "Buttons and the Butterfly," published in 2023, answers spiritual questions about the sudden death of a loved one in words simple enough for a child. Deeply committed to fostering unity among Christians, her work is welcoming to seekers and believers.
Judy and her husband raised two beloved sons. Today, they divide their time between Montana's Flathead Valley and Southern California.
For more information about her work and availability, contact Judy at judyfoy2023@gmail.com
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