Meet Judy Kidder

I grew up in the Ozarks and ESCAPED after finishing college. I worked in various states, finally landing in Minnesota where I was appointed by the Governor as Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Human Services. 

in the mid-80’s, I moved with my first husband to Tianjin, China, where he was part of a small team establishing GlaxoSmithKline’s first pharmaceutical joint venture in China. I would have loved to work while in China, but spouses of joint venture employees were not permitted to work.

With no opportunity for employment, on the morning after our arrival, I boarded the train to Beijing to study Chinese. The company located a hotel where I could stay during the week. (I went "home" to Tianjin every weekend.). I chose instead to stay in the University dorm where my roommate was a gorgeous 20 year old from Italy. There was a steady stream of young men wanting to repair our space heater that broke down daily.

I later established an expatriate organization in Tianjin to support the expatriates working and living there and the consultants who came and went. Tragically, my husband was killed in an automobile accident on Christmas Eve while we were on home leave visiting family in Missouri. 

Twenty one years ago I married my current husband, now a retired airline pilot. I always have loved to travel and met Art just as I had exhausted my frequent flyer miles. Timing is everything!!!!!  Art and I moved to Tucson 17 years ago. We love this city!

I have many interests; but, to prevent this bio from becoming a short story, my greatest love is film. I have attended many film festivals all over the world and have a film discussion group in Tucson.  Some of my favorite films are from Romania. I mostly like films with little action and ambiguous endings. These films are called "Judy"  films, a description that is often less than flattering.

I also love classical music and live theater. I play mah jongg. Tennis is no longer “in the cards” for me, but I follow the game closely. I have always liked to play games, and was fascinated by Bridge but thought it was way too much work. (It is!). 

Six months ago, at the encouragement of friends, I took Barbara Rosenthals' beginning bridge class.  Due to the pandemic, I have never played a game in person! 
I look forward to meeting the people behind their BBO handles. I owe them a debt of gratitude for their patience and encouragement while I learn to play this incredible game.