A PRO’S PRO--Judith
Eshenfelder Witty began her journalism career on the student newspaper at
Southern Methodist University in Dallas and soon was reporting for the Corpus
Christi Caller-Times and the Dallas Times Herald, where she was the only
female city side reporter at the time.
It was there that she met Bob Witty, and they married during
a sleet storm on January 28, 1961. Two weeks later they headed west in two
cars, Judy in a sporty Austin Healy Sprite and Bob in a brand new Chrysler
Valiant.
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| Judith Witty on Assignment |
Bob had a job waiting for him at the San Diego Evening Tribune, where he later became
deputy editor, but Judy was barred from working at either the Union or Tribune because of nepotism rules. Instead, she moved into public
relations at Cal Western University, followed by assignments at Phillips-Ramsey
and Nuffer-Smith. She also wrote for San
Diego Magazine, San Diego Home & Garden, Senior World, TravelAge West and
Guest Informant.
For many years Judy wrote a weekly column reviewing
children's books for Copley News Service. One of the most satisfying of her
freelancing assignments was writing travel articles, mostly around her treks
through Europe, Canada, Mexico and California's wine country. In 2003, she and
Bob took an around the world cruise on the QE2, sending stories and photos back
to the states.
“When I worked with Judy as a magazine editor in town, I
remember she delivered excellent copy on time and always accepted assignments
with a genial enthusiasm,” said Tom Shess, who served editorial stints at both San Diego Magazine and San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles, “She
was one of this city’s top freelance writers.”
In 1984, they kept a promise to their teenage children, Lisa
and Stephen, and spent five weeks driving around Europe. Bob's brother, Tom,
met them in London on arrival and put them up in the Ritz Hotel setting up
expectations which were not to be realized for the rest of the trip.
Judy loved playing tennis, and was among the first to enroll
in the Run for Your Life program when it began in San Diego in the 1960s. She
was chair of Mission Hills Advisory Council for the city schools, deciding the
future of the Grant Elementary School, which was condemned by the Field Act.
She also was a mentor in the central library's literacy program.
She loved remodeling her family's homes in Mission Hills and
Scripps Ranch, and being both daring and thrifty, she acted as contractor to
oversee the projects.
Judy was born in New York City on June 30, 1936 to Henry and
Helen Eshenfelder and attended schools mostly in Connecticut until age 12 when
her parents moved to Dallas. Her father was an executive at Chance Vought
Aircraft and was in the advance wave of the company's historic move from
Stratford to Dallas.
Judy died on May 16 of complications from pneumonia. She had
been active until a few weeks before, with daily workouts on a treadmill,
cooking gourmet meals for Bob, playing bridge and attending weekly luncheons
and teas at the Wednesday Club.
She is survived by her husband, Bob; son Stephen of New
Orleans, a sister, Jan Burton of Dallas, brother-in-law Tom Witty of Oklahoma
and several nieces and nephews. A daughter, Lisa, died of cancer in 2000.
Her favorite charities included Doctors Without Borders and
Smile Train.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 5,
in the Mission Hills United Church of Christ.
Note: This remembrance
was provided by Bob Witty, son Stephen Witty with editing provided by the Witty's family
friend, Judith Morgan.
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