Judith Ayal

OBITUARY

Judi (Judith Irene Shumsky) Ayal, 77, of Atlanta GA passed away, peacefully in the early hours of Sunday December 8th. Predeceased by her longtime husband/companion Gilber Sherr, she will rest for eternity at his side. She is survived by her sons, Ofer Michael, his wife Kristin and grandson Harry Charles and Eran Micha, his wife Laurel and grandson Asher Ori…along with her sister Jane Adrienne Shumsky of Croton-on-Hudson NY.

Growing up in Great Neck, Long Island NY, Judi graduated from University at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin with a degree in Anthropology in 1968. Her studies along with her Jewish upbringing guided a move to Israel where she continued her studies and love of archeology, living on a Kibbutz. It was there that she met and married (1969) Noam Ayal and had her two children (1971&1975). They moved back to Port Washington, Long Island in 1976 to be close to family and to aide in the care of her ailing mother, Elanore-- Z”L (1977). The family moved to Atlanta in 1979. Judi ensconced herself in the Jewish community along with becoming heavily involved in the artist community. She volunteered at the AA Synagogue, the Sheareth Israel Woman’s shelter and Garden Hills Elementary School. Later she spent a lot of time potting and teaching at Callanwolde. Judi worked at the Peachtree Road AJCC and began a 30+/- year stint working at the Jewish Federation with guest experience, the Holocaust museum…working closely with the docents therein. She continued potting long after she stopped working…taking great pride in gifting (and selling) her work in and around Atlanta. She loved local/southern folk art and attending the Jewish movie festival…often sitting for hours on end watching films of, by and about jews, Israel and Jewish culture.

A small funeral will be held at Crest Lawn Memorial Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, 12/10, with Rabbi Chaim Lindenblatt officiating.

DONATIONS: Memorial donations (in lieu of flowers) can be made to The Coleen Cunningham Foundation (CCF) providing support and resources to individuals and families affected by Atypical Parkinsonism. PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, took her mother and ultimately, Judi.