Judith Stewart Drotman

Dignity, compassion, humility, determination, persistence, humor, faith, friends, family, spirit, creativity – just a few of the words that defined Judy Drotman. Sadly, our community lost a true servant leader when the warrior we knew as Judy finally lost her decades long battle with cancer.

Though we in the community to which she dedicated her life remember her for her lifetime of service, she will be most remembered by her cherished family including her husband of 55 years, Bob, her daughter Suzanne, son Jim and his wife Shannon and her dear grandchildren Blythe and Benjamin, beloved sister Micki and husband James as well as Micki’s two daughters Amy and Jennifer. And, we can’t forget her grand dogs, Annabelle, Beau and Freddy.

From the time she and her husband Bob arrived in Plano in 1982, Judy immersed herself in the public school system serving as a volunteer at her children Jim and Suzanne’s schools. Her commitment to quality education was demonstrated as president of PTA boards, president of the Plano ISD Council of PTAs and ultimately to being elected to the Plano ISD Board of Trustees. The Plano ISD Education Foundation which she served as president was also one of the organizations that benefitted from Judy’s dedication to public education.

As her commitment to the Plano community broadened, Judy demonstrated her love of Plano by serving on the City of Plano’s Community Relations Commission, chairing the board that reviewed and allocated the city’s grants to non-profit organizations. The Crime Prevention Advisory Board, the Plano Traffic Commission, school and community college bond committees also were beneficiaries of her intelligence and hard work.

Judy’s faith was unstoppable and, in that regard, she served within her church, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. After serving in many capacities over a number of years, she identified a need as an outcome of her time on the Outreach Committee in 2013-2014. This led her to being instrumental in establishing a food pantry in 2015. She volunteered at the pantry regularly helping food-insecure families in north Dallas and coordinating volunteers.

Her commitment to volunteerism was demonstrated by the years she served as Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Collin County where she led the effort to recruit and place volunteers in areas of need. She also served on and chaired the board of the Assistance Center of Collin County, as a Plano Santa’s volunteer and as a United Way volunteer.

Judy’s service was recognized and appreciated by community organizations. She received the Plano Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year award in 2010 and the Andre’ Davidson Spirit of Volunteerism Award in 2006. She was a graduate of Leadership Plano’s Class 14 and Leadership Texas in 2010.

An accomplished artist and arts lover, Judy and her husband Bob generously gave of their time and support to many arts organizations. Her paintings are treasured by those in the community lucky enough to own them. One of those who owns a Judy Drotman painting said, “I was thrilled to buy one of her paintings at the Art Centre’s “For the Love of Art” event this year. It hangs in my home where I see it every day and I cannot tell you the joy that painting gives me. I sent Judy a photo once it was hung and she said she was so happy it was with someone who liked it so much. It is a daily reminder of a friend I loved dearly.”

Judy Drotman was one of the original and longtime members of the ArtCentre of Plano Advisory Council. Always willing to serve, she was the ArtCentre’s nominating committee chair, helping recruit and fill the board with strong community leaders. As the Centre’s Mother’s Day Tea Chair for two years, she grew this popular event and insured its success. As a Guild member, she welcomed visitors to the ArtCentre with her positive energy making friends of strangers. She was a proud ArtCentre supporter donating funds for the Bob and Judy Drotman Gallery. The ArtCentre proudly named her their honoree as one of the Top Ten Women of Collin County in 2008.

Judy’s organizational ability and leadership were welcome traits on all of the committees she joined. A friend said, “When you worked with Judy, you always felt you were doing something worthwhile – making a difference! It seemed there was nothing she couldn’t do. She was a rock star wherever she landed.”

Judy quietly battled cancer for nearly 40 years, enduring chemotherapy, radiation and more, but throughout all of her treatment, her positive attitude, determination and fighting spirit drove her to do more than survive – she thrived! With a zest for life, she and Bob traveled, relished time with their grandchildren, loved baseball, theatre, good food and wine – mainly chardonnay - and time with dear friends. And, beyond that, Judy was a constant source of inspiration to others going through similar health battles. She generously provided guidance, advice and encouragement often with brutal honesty and humor.

No matter what she was working on or what task she was assigned, you just knew Judy would get it done, and get it done right. Nothing ever fell between the cracks when she was at the helm. She provided direction to her troops when needed, but always did so with the heart of a servant leader. And, more importantly, her involvement was not based on obtaining title or honor, but on a true commitment to service and to making a difference in the community she loved. Though she never sought fame or recognition, she truly left a legacy.

There will be a celebration of Judy’s life on April 1, 2022 at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration at 1:00pm.

To honor Judy’s memory, in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation to the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - 14115 Hillcrest Road Dallas, TX 75254.