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In Memory of Judy Skarsten(1942 - 2019)

individual picture
Name
Judy Skarsten
Children
Theoni
Birth Date
October 15, 1942
Ascension Date
January 3, 2019  

Judy Ann Skarsten (Scott) was born near Dallas, Texas in 1942. Her young parents soon moved to California, when she was about three years old. From a young age, Judy took on a lot of responsibility taking care of her younger sisters, Jackie and Janie while her mother was working.

Judy attended Oakland Technical High School, where she was very popular and active in the student government. She was a style and fashion trendsetter. She taught swimming, was a lifeguard and worked as a camp counselor. One of Judy’s life-long passions was to read. Already during her high school years, she was a spiritual seeker and visited various churches with her friends.

After graduating high school, she moved to back to Texas to develop a relationship with her grandmother, who lived on a ranch near Midland Texas. Judy returned to the Bay Area to study nursing at San Jose State University. After working in a hospital ER, she was unsatisfied with nursing and changed her career. She obtained a Master’s in Art Therapy from San Francisco University.

At 25 years old, Judy became the mother of a beautiful baby girl, Robin. They lived in Berkeley, where Judy was surrounded by a large group of close friends. She often held her own workshops for adults and children on spiritual growth, and art therapy.

Judy joined the church in the spring of 1974 in Oakland, California. One of her friends had invited her to accompany him to an evening program, and there she met the Oakland family.  She was intrigued by the community and came up to Booneville to become more entrenched in this exciting and spiritual life.  She shared with friends that she had a vision of Jesus and felt that this is what she had to do with her life.

Judy was so energetic and beautiful, and she brought many of her friends from the local area to the church.  She worked closely with Matthew Morrison and Sheri Reuter to help run the “Actionizer” program, for new members after a 21-day workshop.  They witnessed in Santa Rosa, California, and brought many people to the workshops in Booneville.

Judy has many wonderful spiritual children from that time. We all remember her tremendous smile and infectiously delightful laugh, which was completely disarming to all.  She was an inspiration to so many members and guests. Judy had a way about her in which she could completely listen to them so that they felt really known and fully understood. Judy was able to make people feel so at home, and she truly felt God’s heart for each person, and they experienced that unconditional love through her in turn. She was able to make them feel not only loved, but that someone with great wisdom was looking out for them, and she engendered trust which was very beautiful in our community.

Around 1980-1981, Judy was diagnosed with a serious, usually terminal, cancer. She prayed to God for guidance. She was contacted by a friend who shared with her about an herbal cancer treatment therapy in Europe. Feeling this was a sign from God, she went to France where she underwent a fast and herbal treatment for her cancer. Miraculously, she was fully healed!

In 1982, she received the Marriage Blessing with one of her spiritual children, Jahan Shahi, and they both attended the Unification Theological Seminary (1983-85). After the seminary, from 1986-87, she joined Jahan in the Washington D.C. area. She assisted Jahan with projects like the Mideast Times and holding seminars and workshops for leaders from nations in the Middle East to help bring peace to the Middle East.

In 1993, Judy and Jahan were given the gift of a child from an offering family. Judy loved her daughter Theoni with a passion that remained steadfast. From the day Theoni came into the world, Judy’s life revolved around her.

In the mid-90s, Judy began working in a preschool at New Hope Academy in Landover Hills, Maryland. She taught first grade in the 1996-1997 academic year and later taught English at high school level at New Hope Academy. After obtaining an additional degree as a Montessori Specialist, Judy also taught at the Henson Valley Montessori school and in public schools in Prince George’s County, MD.

In 2005, she moved with Theoni to Seattle to be close to her dear friend Lucy Wells, and to work with Matthew Morrison again in an international non-profit organization, holding conferences and seminars throughout the Pacific Northwest. She was the conference coordinator and managed large conferences with legislators and civic leaders and was an inspiration to many. During the 2008 financial crisis, the company lost funding and Judy was called to another purpose.

In 2009, Judy moved back to Maryland and stepped back into her first love–teaching children. Judy rejoined the faculty at New Hope Academy, as a third-grade teacher, as well as being a private tutor. In 2012, After a workplace accident, Judy developed a medical condition in her brain that greatly impacted her balance.  She fought to get a medical procedure that would likely have helped her. Other than her balance problems, and related issues, Judy was healthy and looked forward to living a full and long life. She was always a joy to be around, brimming with fun and life.

On January 3, 2019, Judy had a pleasant dinner with her roommate.  After dinner, around 10:00-11:00 PM she started going upstairs in her Greenbelt, Maryland, home and tragically fell. Her roommate rushed to her side and called emergency services.

Judy–you are missed every day by your family and many friends. We find comfort in knowing that you have gone to your heavenly home.

Judy’s final farewell and life celebration Seonghwa Memorial will be held on March 2, 2019, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at New Hope Family Church, 4801 Tesla Dr., Suite M, Bowie, Maryland, 20715. A reception will be held following the service at New Hope Academy, 7009 Varnum St., Landover Hills, Maryland, 20784.

You can contribute to Judy’s Seonghwa fund at her GoFundMe page.

Seonghwa Ceremony

Time
10:00 AM
Date
March 2, 2019
Location
New Hope Family Church: 4801 Tesla Dr., Suite M, Bowie, Maryland, 20715

Comments (14)

  • John Hitchler

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    Go in peace beautiful sister, life here will miss you. God Bless You Judy

    Reply

  • Keith P McCarthy

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    Fond memories of Judy from long ago…you’ve crossed that Jordan River. Hoping to see you there some day. Thank you for your righteously well-lived life. God bless you and your familyl.

    Reply

  • Mark Anderson

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    Judy was a very special sister. She was so loving and kind to everyone and embodied the beauty of God’s heart. She will be right at home with the angels and Heavenly Parent.

    Reply

  • Leslie

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    I had fun fundraising with her! She made anything seem special and fun. I feel there is certainly a reason for her passing but still sorry to hear this news.

    Reply

  • I Clèment TSANA

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    Maman JUDY, ton retour àu Parent Cèleste LUI crèera ,j’en suis convaincu, une immense joie au regard de ton sacrifice sur la terre. Cependant, la providence sous le très haut patronage de Notre Vraie Mère, la fille unique de DIEU a besoin des femmes combattantes comme toi. La biogragraphie de ta vie illustre bien ton engagement sans faille dans la providence et à vivre pour les autres. Le 12 mars, je prierai pour que ta grandiose oeuvre spirituelle soit pèrènisèe par tes multiples enfants spirituels et physiques. Continues à être active dans le Monde Spirituel et travaille directement les familles bènies pour te qualifier comme MESSI TRIBAL CELESTE. AJU AJU AJU

    Reply

  • Galvan family

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    Blessings to precious Judy in her new life. And blessings to her precious family. I know God and True Parents will take great care of her, and be right next to her, all the way. Que Padre Celestial y Los Padres Verdaderos te bendiga, preciosa, mi hermanita. Love, ITN, Lorna and Esteban G. 🙏🏾👼🏼👼🏽🕊🌹💗💞💌

    Reply

  • Chris Bickerton

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    God’s love touched my heart through Judy. Truly, a very special sister.

    Reply

  • Mary Ann Schaffer-Wigton

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    Met Judy when she came to Seattle to help us with the Ambassadors for Peace Assn., WA State. Thanks so much, Judy. Happy Ascension!

    Reply

  • A Former Student

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    Ms. Shahi (what I knew her as) was my high school english teacher. I wont lie, we were a bunch of trouble makers. I know we gave her a time. But, regardless, she had this overwhelming love and compassion for us. She was a gentle soul, the DC area was a new and different experience for her. I remember us reading a story in her class, about the native americans, and the land that was taken. In the middle of reading, she put her head down, and we were all worried. She looked up, with tears streaming down her face. The piece upset her a lot. Specifically, the fact that other human beings could treat another human being so poorly. She was so respectful to other’s cultures, and, even though I was not apart of her religion, she still respected, and wanted to learn more of the Black Catholic culture.

    Until We Meet Again,

    Your Former Student.

    Reply

  • Former Student

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    Ms. Shahi (what I knew her as) was my high school english teacher. I wont lie, we were a bunch of trouble makers. I know we gave her a time. But, regardless, she had this overwhelming love and compassion for us. She was a gentle soul, the DC area was a new and different experience for her. I remember us reading a story in her class, about the native americans, and the land that was taken. In the middle of reading, she put her head down, and we were all worried. She looked up, with tears streaming down her face. The piece upset her a lot. Specifically, the fact that other human beings could treat another human being so poorly. She was so respectful to other’s cultures, and, even though I was not apart of her religion, she still respected, and wanted to learn more of the Black Catholic culture.

    Reply

  • Edward S Taub

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    Judy and I were close friends in the Oakland church. At many 2-day and 7-day workshops, she was my group leader and I was her assistant. She was a very kind and loving person. She showed me how to love my spiritual children unconditionally. Her contribution to our movement was enormous, and she will be missed by all.

    Reply

  • tinyurl.com

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    WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for
    cbd oil

    Reply

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