Judith Joan Kenyon

Judy was born in South Bend, Indiana during the Great Depression and came from a hardworking Czechoslovakian immigrant family. Judy attended Mishawaka High School and graduated in 1947. During those years Judy developed a lifelong love for joining clubs and community groups as a way to share her interests, build friendships, and give purpose to her life. She remained close with many of the friends she met during that time throughout her life.

Judy was defined by her love of learning, her high standards for herself, and her constant desire for a better future.

Upon graduating from high school, she was honored as salutatorian and received the Daughters of the American Revolution United States History Award. These achievements led to acceptance at Northwestern University on a full scholarship, an uncommon opportunity for women and the time, and one she often said she never could have imagined as a young girl in a small town during that era.

Perseverance and independence were among Judy’s greatest strengths. While at Northwestern, she pursued business and accounting courses at a time when women were actively discouraged from doing so, once being told that she was taking the place of a male student who would “actually use these skills”. She refused to let that deter her. Although she did not pursue a formal business career, her studies sparked a lifelong passion for finance and investing. She could often be found reading The Wall Street Journal and Barron's from cover to cover, and faithfully watching her favorite financial advisor on television, Jim Cramer from Mad Money.

She was blessed to meet her husband, David H. Kenyon one day in an accounting class at Northwestern. They fell in love and were married for 60 years. They moved to California and raised two children, Darryl D. Kenyon of Carmel, CA, and Laura B. Rosenwald of Encino. They lived in San Mateo, California and enjoyed the beautiful Baywood area of the city. During that time Judy worked at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame and the San Mateo Medical Center.

Judy devoted much of her free time to community service and advocacy. She was active in the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the League of Women Voters, and had a strong interest in land conservation and wildlife protection when the Bay Area was experiencing a period of expansion and building in the 1970s and 1980s.

After retiring, Judy and David moved to Carmel Valley, where they built deep friendships and spent many happy afternoons in the pool and hot tub at the Carmel Valley Athletic Club. Judy also held a leadership role at the Carmel-by-the-Sea Chapter of the Red Cross and was active member of The Carmel Foundation and the Carmel Women’s Club.

Even in her later years, Judy’s curiosity and love of the world never faded. She especially liked walking along Carmel Beach, spending time at the Carmel library, and exploring Big Sur, finding deep enjoyment in the beach, books, and the beauty of the California coast.

Judy taught her family many lessons and often expressed her belief that “each day is a blessing”. She valued an elegantly simple life centered around learning, family, and community. In addition to her children Darryl and Laura, she is survived by her grandchildren, Colin Kenyon, Alissa Mahoney and Natalie Doyle, and Brent and Brooke Rosenwald, and her 6 great grandchildren.

Her life was marked by deep curiosity, lasting generosity, and the warmth she showed others.

Judy will be buried next to her husband in Monterey after a family service on Friday, January 16, 2026 at St. John’s Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial and tribute gifts contributions may be made on behalf of Judith to The Carmel Foundation by calling Laurel at (831) 624-1588.