Judith Blair Salzman was born - along with her twin sister Jill - to Helaine and Marshall Salzman on September 16th, 1943 in Chicago. The sisters were followed by two brothers, Ken and Robert.
Judith attended college at Washington University and then North Park College, studying English literature. In 1965, she married Michael Maximov, a young man she had first met on a blind date. Together they had three children, Justin (1968), Marc (1970) and Hannah (1971).
The family lived in the Chicago area, Iowa City, Fort Huachuca, and finally, Tucson. Judith and Michael divorced in 1983 and continued to co-parent thereafter.
During her working career, Judith had a succession of jobs including library clerk, typist, receptionist, caterer, public speaker, UA campus shuttle driver, and 18-wheel truck driver. She earned her Microsoft Certified Server Engineer certificate and worked in the IT department of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, a job she loved.
Judith was very active in politics and civic groups. She founded a La Leche chapter in Fort Huachuca, served as the chair of the Southern Arizona Coalition for the Equal Rights Amendment, worked with the National Council of Jewish Women, joined the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus, and even worked as an active member of the Mt. Lemmon volunteer fire department.
Judith was introduced to Quakerism by her daughter, Hannah Maximova , who is a member of Orange Grove Friends Meeting. She attended meeting with Hannah when she visited and later began to attend Pima Friends Meeting in Tucson regularly. In 2010 Judith asked for membership in Pima Meeting. In her letter of application, Judith stated that she wanted to become a Quaker because “people in the meeting are so kind, so accepting, so good to know. It feels like a lovely place to belong.”
Judith became a member in 2011. She served on the House Committee for many years and was an editor of “Life in the Light,” PMM’s newsletter.
Friends at Pima Meeting first met Judith in her later years and did not know that she was experiencing cognitive decline. This decline posed a special challenge that she battled mightily to manage. At Pima Meeting, Judith showed herself to be a woman of passionate convictions. Sometimes her views, especially her non-theism, and manner of expression led to ruffled feathers and frustration. She was a plain speaker who never minced words. The gift of Judith was her honesty. Friends never needed to wonder where Judith stood on an issue, she would tell them.
Judith had a softer and more welcoming side as well. She was a physically affectionate person and enjoyed giving and getting hugs. Judith was always available for a hug after meeting for worship. One way Judith showed her love for the meeting was by making name tags for newcomers as a way of welcoming them. She also served on a variety of committees including House Committee and Peace and Social Concerns.
On First Days, Judith would come to worship early and hold the space. Friends would see her sitting quietly in a corner of the room, already in worship. She was a steadfast presence, almost never missing a First Day, always occupying the same chair in the southeast corner of the meeting room.
Judith Salzman passed away in her home on January 5, 2020 at the age of 76. She will be missed by her Meeting, where she belonged, and by the many others who loved her.