Judy Ulfik

SL DIII · 23 August 2007, 04:08 PM

Hi all,
I'm very sorry to report that Judy Ulfik (a.k.a Judy Meyers), The Aerodrome's first "Trudy Truelove" passed away earlier today. Many visitors to the Aerodrome from the early days may recall seeing her sailing down the runway in a yellow and black, tethered hot-air ballon, being tied to a barrel while planes overhead dropped live bombs, and of course doing everything she possibly could do to keep from being kissed by the original Evil Black Baron...Cole Palen himself.

My condolences go out to her two sons, Nick and Sean, and her daughter, Sarah and all of her relatives and friends. Sarah eventually ended up playing Trudy in the shows at Rhinebeck for a few years and I know that Judy was very happy to see that happen. Nick also was a great help at the Aerodrome in the shows and behind the scenes helping in the museum.

Judy had a big heart and she always had a smile on her face and good things to say. She was a big ham in the early days at the Aerodrome, doing a fine job acting in silent, old-time films directed by Cole that used the aircraft and vehicles from his collection as props. She was a beautiful lady, and she'll be missed.

Tom Polapink

Curtiss Jenny · 23 August 2007, 07:21 PM

I'll always remember Judy's stories of her many adventures at ORA. Along with creating the role of Trudy Trulove, Judy did quick costume changes to play the parts of other female characters in the show. Before Cole Palen died, he said that Judy made the groundshow come alive with her vibrant personality. Judy's influence on the show continues to live on every Sunday to this day.

She got to meet some famous people who visited ORA such as Captain Kangaroo, William Shatner, and Clint Eastwood. Clint and Judy posed together for a photo after the air show and realized after the photo was taken that the bomb soot on Judy's costume had transferred onto Clint's light blue suede clothing! Another photo tribute to Judy was when a large mural of the Aerodrome hung in Grand Central Station for many years; Judy was featured promiently in that photograph. Later that same photograph was hung on the back wall of the museum foundation building.

Judy rarely missed a weekend at ORA, with two notable exceptions. One was getting "capped" as a nurse, which she had worked very hard to achieve and had used her earnings at the Aerodrome to help pay for her education. The second was to attend the Woodstock Festival in 1969 where she sat near the stage holding a butterfly balloon. The photo is of a poster from that notable event.

She raised three great young people: Sarah, Nick and Sean. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to them.

AAC Cadet Leader · 23 August 2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL DIII

... She was a big ham in the early days at the Aerodrome, doing a fine job acting in silent, old-time films directed by Cole that used the aircraft and vehicles from his collection as props.

Having seen some of those films, it was apparent that Judy, as the original Trudy Trulove really added a lot of comedy to the airshow melodramas and was a great sport about having bombs blown up nearby her as she was tied to posts. What a gal! Wish I had gotten the opportunity to meet her. My sympathy to her family in their great loss.

tazbat · 24 August 2007, 08:02 AM

I, regrettably, never knew Judy. But, I have watched and admired her many times in the "Flying Circus," video.

My condolences also to her family and friends. She had to have been one of those rare individuals, which Cole seemed to have a gift in attracting to ORA.

Salute!
Sandy

24 August 2007, 08:52 AM

My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.

Curtiss Jenny · 24 August 2007, 07:28 PM

Burnett and White Funeral Homes: Serving Red Hook and Rhinebeck, New York -Memorial Obituaries Ulfik, Judith

Judith Myers Ulfik
Born in Brooklyn on Nov. 10, 1946
Departed on Aug. 23, 2007 and resided in Red Hook, NY.

Visitation: Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007
Service: Monday, Aug. 27, 2007
Cemetery: Rhinebeck Cemetery
Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.

Judith Myers Ulfik, 60, a longtime area resident, died Thursday, August 23, 2007 at the Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY.

For many years, Judy was a Nurse at the Anderson School in Staatsburg, NY and also worked as a private duty home health aide.

Judy was the first women to ever play the part of "Trudy Truelove" in the air shows at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome. She also, for many years, dyed and spun yarn at the Dutchess County Fair and in Old Salem, NC.

She was a member of St. John's Reformed Church in Red Hook.

Born 11/10/1946, in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late William Myers, Jr. and Dorothy (Krauss) Myers of Rhinebeck.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by a daughter: Sarah Ulfik of Austin, TX, two sons: Nicholas & Sean Ulfik of Red Hook, NY, a sister: Patricia Myers of Rhinebeck, NY and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, August 27th, 2007 at Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 91 E. Market St. Rhinebeck, NY. The Rev. Ryan T. Nace will officiate. Interment will be at Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck.

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes 91 E. Market St. Rhinebeck, NY on Sunday, August 26, 2007 from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 91 E. Market St., Rhinebeck, NY.

For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit Burnett and White Funeral Homes: Serving Red Hook and Rhinebeck, New York.

Driving Directions To Rhinebeck:

Burnett & White Funeral Homes
91 East Market Street (Route 308)
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
845-876-3193

From the TACONIC STATE PARKWAY:

Take the "RED HOOK - ROUTE 199" Exit. At the end of the ramp turn WEST onto RT 199. Go approx. 3 - 4 miles to the 1st light. At this light Route 308 is straight ahead of you and Rt 199 bears right - follow Rt 308 straight ahead. Go approx. 3 - 4 miles and you will enter the Village of Rhinebeck. The funeral home is 3 blocks ahead on the right, on the corner, diagonally across from the Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

From the NY STATE THRUWAY (Interstate 87):

Take Exit #19, KINGSTON. After paying toll stay RIGHT onto RT 28 West toward Pine Hill. Go through the light and immediately take exit for RT 209 North, RHINECLIFF BRIDGE. Cross bridge. Go to the 2nd light after bridge and turn RIGHT onto RT 199/9G. Go 1 mile to the next light; turn RIGHT on Route 9 South. Go to the second light in center of the Village of Rhinebeck. Turn LEFT onto E. Market St (RT 308). The funeral home is 2 blocks ahead on the left, on the corner, diagonally across from the Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

wingnut · 24 August 2007, 09:00 PM

Judy was a such a positive person. A pleasure to talk to. Always had a positive smile on her beautiful face. Even when she was tied up and bombs were dropping right next to her. She never asked, "why am I doing this?". Look at the Flying Circus video. What a woman. I am honored to have known her. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Curtiss Jenny · 25 August 2007, 12:30 PM

Anyone attending the viewing may bring their favorite photos of Judy.

The family has said to send flowers to the funeral home - sunflowers and bright colors with no crysanthumums. Wonderland Florist 845-876-4981 is the in-town florist who can make up the order to your specification.

SteveS · 26 August 2007, 07:32 PM

Whenever I think of Trudy Trulove, its Judy’s image that comes to mind. Judy’s portrayal of a damsel in distress was “spot on” and added much life and laughter to those early madcap shows of the Aerodrome. I can still see her in costume being forced to walk behind the Black Baron in his 1909 Renault staff car or screaming while being dragged down the runway in a balloon. She added as much to the shows at Rhinebeck as any plane that ever graced the skies.

Pictures may fade, but never the memory of such a beautiful person.

My heartfelt condolences to the family.

Salute,
Steve