Judith Honegger

Judy Dramer Honegger was a well-loved, smart, curious, seeker of knowledge. Judy loved to learn. Her favorite outlet to do so was in reading, which was a daily practice. When we asked her, she said she wanted to be remembered for 'always searching'. This is so completely true-she read extensively in history and philosophy, favoring these over fiction. In fact, in her last week on earth she downloaded several Kindle books that had caught her interest. She was an encyclopedia of historical dates and events, she was definitely the one Honegger to go to for fact checking. She was always digging deeper, interested in dates, historical events, architectural styles, and cultural insights, particularly if she was going to be traveling somewhere. She was the one who did all the travel homework, reviewing the maps, and reading about local human interest stories. If we were going to take a tour through a museum with Judy we would have to calculate extra time in order to allow her to absorb absolutely every single sign/plaque. Lucky for the folks who traveled with her, she loved to share all that information she had amassed. She always had something interesting to share, when watching movies together, we would have to press "pause"-a lot-so she could fill us in on the background and history of whatever was taking place on screen.

Judy was also funny, thoughtful, and had a great artistic/aesthetic sense. She loved to listen to live music, travel and experience new things almost as much as she loved to stay home, bring the family together, and make a perfect posole. Judy grew up as an Air Force "Brat" and lived around the US and in both Japan and Germany. In her final weeks, the family gathered to view slides and hear some tales from this part of her life. We all got to experience stories from the places she lived and the friends she made. Her memory of these stories was both surprising (like the time she got her pilot's license) and deeply appreciated by her kids, grandkids and both her brothers, Richard and Danny, and Richard's wife, Brenda.

Judy graduated from General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1964. She was a cheerleader and an important part of that community. She left high school with dozens of friends, so many of whom were with us in person or by phone through her last few weeks. She attended the University of New Mexico, where she became a Pi Beta Phi, and made more dear friends, who were also with us this past month. At UNM, she found Sam, her best friend, husband and travel partner and they were married in 1966. She loved being married to Sam, there was always something new they were doing, and they had a true partnership. For Sam, Judy was indispensable in the running of the family business for decades. She was also indispensable in the running of the family! Judy, held us together with love, adventure, and her excellent wise advice.

The family affectionately referred to her as Moppy-a name that suited her so beautifully. She will also be remembered as kind, generous, and as a particularly skilled listener. She and Sam created the loving and welcoming family home-that became the place that all five of her grandkids went to "retreat" and for everything else, from sage advice to general know-how. She had a remarkable ability to solve any problem. Moppy was always available to pick up a kid, host a pool party, or accommodate a family gathering at any moment. She took her grandparenting very seriously, being the one who everyone could rely on, not only for logistics and care, but also-and most importantly-for her unconditional love and acceptance of each of her grandkids, and also all their friends. Her grandchildren, Gustavo, Gage, Maya, Luke and Drew reported that she was always there for them and that she supported them in very important ways. They also noted that she never got mad. Her kids-Heidi and Adam-have a different story, but likely deserved it!

Judy enjoyed a good early cup of coffee with Sam figuring out the world and planning activities and events to do together with the family. She loved to travel, going skiing in Purgatory and Taos, and later taking kids and grandkids there. She loved that she and Sam had raised her kids, and eventually grandkids, to love snowy mountains and to spend their days skiing. Moppy loved that she had a hand in creating our family cabin. She knew it was important to raise the next generation outside, and she was glad to have a refuge that exemplified the family values of loving the outdoors, and enjoying elaborate family meals. Judy traveled around America, Europe and later the Asia-Pacific, the Baltics and Iceland. These trips were with Sam's brother Gordan and his wife Jean Ann, their favorite travel partners. Judy's last trip was to Hawaii in January 2025 with her kids and their spouses David and Kate. We will note here that David and Kate had a great mother-in-law, who loved and welcomed them into the family as her own.

The family asked Judy to reflect on what she learned from traveling around the world her whole life. It was too much to recount, she said, but she encouraged us to keep traveling, to read everything, and to always be curious. We asked her what she loved, and what she thought we should love as well, and she told us: friendships. Judy had taken care to cultivate and keep deep connections with her friends from both high school and college. After college, she gathered "soccer mom" and other parent friends along the way, and through her classes at the University of Albuquerque, she also found her book club friends-a group that kept her intellectual life going for decades. She also had her confidants, the people who kept her grounded and well. She wanted to thank all those people in her life over the years for their deep and important friendships, and to remind us to value those close to us.

Judy definitely left us too soon, but there is so much to remember and cherish about her life, and the impact she had on her friends and family. As we travel, gather with friends and family and celebrate holidays together, she will be with each of us.

In honor of Judy's life and legacy, the family requests that each of you learn something new and surprising this year. Mom would add that you should also make sure your clothes and shoes perfectly match your mood, the weather, and your activity when you go out, it makes a difference.