Judy Endres was a wonderful woman. She loved cats and grew beautiful flowers. I loved playing scrabble and watching old mysteries with her. May this good woman rest in peace, I picture her smiling and petting a big orange cat in heaven. God bless Judy, I thank Jesus Christ for meeting you along the way ❤️

Miss our laughs everyday , you’re the funniest person I’ve ever met . I love you forever . Rest easy pretty lady ❤️‍🩹
Natalie - (RA)

(Part 2)
In so many ways Judy was a second mother to me during my time at University of Michigan.  I’m not sure I would have been able to finish my doctorate if I had been in a different lab.  A large part of my success there was thanks to Judy.  I had major health problems and was in a wheelchair at times.  Judy made sure I could do everything I needed to do in the lab no matter what my health was doing that day.   She went above and beyond her job to make sure I got what I needed.  She also made the lab environment a welcoming place where people helped each other.  I can’t tell you how many times Judy helped me personally as well.  She always made sure I could get home (even if that meant driving me herself), went to the doctor, had food, could breathe, and didn’t over do things.  She had no problems calling me out when I was pushing myself to hard or trying to do something that I physically shouldn’t have been doing.   At times she would almost nag me about something, and it was always because she cared so much about me.  When another member of the lab got pregnant and developed several allergies, Judy found recipes that were egg free, dairy free, gluten free, etc. because she didn’t want to leave anyone out when she brought in treats.   (Judy’s cheesecake was legendary!)   Two examples of what really made Judy so special.  She truly and deeply cared about all of us, both in and out of the lab.  She was dedicated to helping the lab succeed both as a group and as individuals.  I know Judy helped me become a much better scientist and a better person.

(Part 1_
Kim and Lisa, I am so sorry for the loss of you mother, Judy.  She brought so much light and love to the world through her scientific achievements, caring personality, and brilliant spirit.   

Judy was an incredible teacher: smart, clear, patient, and caring.  Her lab protocols could make even the trickiest tasks easy to understand.  I think we had some of the most skilled undergraduates in sterile cell culture at the university thanks to Judy’s teaching.  As a grad student, Judy taught me more than just lab technique.  She showed me how to work clean and precise and how to think critically and problem solve at the bench.  If Judy wrote a protocol, you knew it would work.  But, she could also quickly identify trouble spots in a paper methodology or industry protocol.  She was always willing to sit down and go over what I was doing or even take the time to watch me.  Her guidance was always kind and supportive as well as intelligent and incisive. 

Judy kept a lot of people and a lot of experiments working cohesively in a fairly small space.  Whenever there was any kind of issue the usual and best answer was, ask Judy.  Technique problem, two people need the same piece of equipment, can’t find something, need a quick substitute for an out-of-stock reagent, need a restaurant recommendation, or just the right word for your paper were all problems solved with, ask Judy.  I remember the first time she took off a month to go to Australia.  Slight panic ensued as we tried to imagine the lab without Judy around.  Before leaving she gave us all a small present for Christmas, a WWJD bracelet.  Of course that stood for “What Would Judy Do?”  Judy was the absolute best lab manager in both the science and human resource aspects of the job.
(cont)

In memory of Judith Endres (Judy) - part 2 of 2


Some of our former undergraduate students have since advanced to major positions in academic medicine and biomedical research.  I have no doubt that they would give Judy major credit for their successes and accomplishments, especially for building the essential foundation of meticulous experimental work, scientific integrity, teamwork and professionalism.  Our students and all lab members, also would join me in recognizing the many personal qualities that made Judy so special – her warmth, sense of humor, lack of pretense, optimism, organizational skills, common sense and keen intuition. Long before DEI was an institutional imperative (and now regrettably, rejected and used as an excuse for harming research universities)  Judy set the standard for creating and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for all new lab members, of any race, ethnicity, religion or national origin.

I greatly regret being a few months late learning of Judy’s death, but I want her daughters, Kim and Lisa, to know the level of respect, admiration, affection and gratitude that we feel for their mother. I would like to compile a book of reminiscences  from those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Judy. Messages can be sent to me at dfox@umich.edu.

David Fox
04/23/2025

In memory of Judith Endres (Judy) - part 1

Judy began working in my laboratory at the University of Michigan Medical School in the 1990’s, and was my lab manager for about 20 years.  She also spent time in the hybridoma core. Our research is in the fields of immunology and autoimmunity, and Judy became an expert in these areas of research.  She is a coauthor with me of at least 25 scientific publications.

When Judy joined the lab we were housed in the aging, unreliable and ultimately demolished Kresge I building. Judy organized our move to MSRB1 and later to BSRB. We are now in NCRC, and past trainees and lab staff are always welcome to visit.

The lab manager is the person who knows where every item is located, how each piece of equipment works and the maintenance schedules that keep them all in working order. S/he knows the timing and content of the periodic administrative approvals and renewals that keep the lab in compliance with rules for use of human specimens, mouse experiments, handling of chemical and biological hazards, waste disposal, radioactivity, and training of all lab members in these areas.  You can be certain that the professor who supposedly is in charge of the lab does not know everything on this list!

The lab  manager also trains new lab members in the experimental methods that we use, which are numerous and complicated.  There is a lot to learn, especially for undergraduate students who are just getting started.

Judy was a star in all these areas, and in so many more dimensions. She was an insightful scientist whose observations, questions and suggestions pushed our work forward. She was a personal advisor and parental figure for our students, who sought her out for advice on problems that included grades, personal issues, parents, unwelcomed (or welcomed) attention from another student in the lab, career options, and whether research was the right choice or area of emphasis for their future career.

OBITUARY

Judith Louise Endres

April 22, 1946 – February 16, 2025

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

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