Judith Miriam Sadoff
July 15, 1928-April 14, 2025
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Michal Ruth Sadoff

Judith “Judy” (nee Kahn) Sadoff was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1928. Within a few years the family moved to Queens, NY. Judy treasured growing up among a large and close group of aunts, uncles and cousins. Judy attended Fort Hays State University in Kansas, She then came to the Bay Area and worked as a "computer" (ala Hidden Figures) at NASA, where she met and married Melvin Sadoff, an aeronautical engineer who also worked at NASA.

Judy was an active community volunteer and leader. Her work with Hadassah led to forming her earliest friend group in Palo Alto. She was active in the PTA, and served as a Girl Scout leader. Later Judy played several roles at Congregation Beth Am, including serving on the board of directors. At Beth Am she also gathered another cherished group of friends, the Chai Tech Chavura which became “extended family” for all in the group. Later Judy again worked at NASA as an assistant to the nurse manager of a biomedical space research program. Judy swam for exercise and loved gardening. Judy was a lifelong learner, a quiet feminist, genuinely interested in other people, caring and kind, a person of high character.

Judy created many opportunities for her children and grandchildren to develop the kind of family ties she had growing up. Judy modelled the importance of Jewish life and study and of L'Dor V’Dor through the way she lived her life.

Judy died on April 14, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband Mel and by her brother Daniel Kahn. Judy is survived by her brother Joel (Joyce) and her three children: Michal, David (Dana), Shoshana (Alex), and her grandchildren Leia, Sarah, Dani, Katie, Ben, Coby and Noah.

Services have been held. The family would appreciate donations to Hadassah (hadassah.org) or to the Marder Endowment for Living Torah of Congregation Beth Am (betham.org).