Yesterday, the funeral of Judy Khan - Jamblin took place. Judy provided TheHagueOnLine with daily news for many years. Recently, while on holiday in Cuba, she suffered a fatal heart attack. Her unexpected death has been a shock for many, and our sincere wishes go out to her beloved family and friends who mourn her death. Judy was an active and treasured member of the British Club of the Hague for many years, who have prepared an obituary in her memory.

In Fond Memory of Judy Kahn - Jamblin
7 September 1941 - 25 May 2010

"Judy was only 68 when she unexpectedly died whilst on holiday in Cuba. Her death leaves a great void in many lives including many members of the British Club of the Hague. For many years now she has been our key member in fact the Club backbone.

Judy was born in London in 1941 and she came to Holland in 1974 on holiday. Here she (re)met an old childhood friend , who was working here, and married in 1975 and had a son soon after called Gideon (Gidi) who sadly died in 1994. Judy studied German at London University and was a German lecturer before she came to the Netherlands. Until the 90s she was a full time mum for Gidi and her two daughters, Leonora and Hester. She then started working as a translator of dutch news for Media Monitor an English language newsletter for all the foreign embassies. Around that time she was also Editor for the BWC (now the BCH) magazine and started writing “Om en Bij”. It was time when the Club had just moved into new premises at De Witte, in the Centre of the Hague and boasted a membership of some 700 women. She also joined the Roundabout team as writer and Editor.

After she divorced (mid 90's) Judy found the job at the Embassy as P.A. for the Fiscal liaison office. She always continued writing for the British Club of the Hague and was a freelance translator/editor including working for TheHagueOnLine website.

Judy also had two stints at being the British Club Chairman but it was the last stint ( 2006 - 2009) for which she will be most admired for she took over the job when our finances were desperate and we had a falling membership roll and helped us negotiate and move into Associate Membership with the American Women’s Club in Scheveningen.

Judy was also a terrific person: warm, genuine and supportive of her friends and the Club. She had a brilliant intellect and was an eloquent and inspiring speaker as well as a very funny and perceptive writer. "

Sally Levell (with the help of Leonora Kahn)

Photos provided by The British Club of The Netherlands

- Passport photo

- Judy Kahn at Feel at Home in The Hague Fair 2006 by Kay Turberville

Dear Judy,

Last time we spoke, we had bumped into each other waiting for tram 17 in the center; you were wearing that bright red coat of yours. The tram was due to arrive any moment, so the update had to be quick: My children. Your children. No men. No men? Nu....*

Plans? you asked. Tidy up my flat, tidy up my life, I said. You said you wanted to take it easy, put everything on the back burner and enjoy your family. Go on holiday. I saw you once more, leaving Kelly's on Piet Heinstraat, same red coat, you seemed in a rush and I had to renew my parking ticket. Oh well, I thought, we'll have coffee next time.

Three weeks later I was boarding a plane at Heathrow when the call came through, telling me that our coffee had to wait, indefinitely. I still can't believe you are gone, I hear your voice, I see you smile, that wickedly clever, compassionate, heartmelting grin of yours, that said more than a thousand words. Thank you for all the jokes, the sound advice, the oomph and the attitude; the squishy hugs and the times when all we could do was keep silent - and keep breathing.

I cherish our emails, the memories... and lift my hat, bowing to the friend formidable you were to us all. Blessed be your memory, beautiful mensch*. Love, E

* nu: multipurpose interjection often analogous to "well?" or "so?" (Yiddish nu, perhaps akin to Russian (nu) or German na = 'well '; (OED)
 

* mensch: (Yiddish: mentsh; German: Mensch, for "human being") means "a person of integrity and honor". Someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being “a real mensch” is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible, decorous".(Wikipedia)

Eva László-Herbert

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