Judi was born in 1940 and spent her childhood and early adulthood in the city of Dayton, Ohio.  In 1958 she graduated from Julienne High School and entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.  Following the reception of her Bachelor of Arts degree Judi began her ministry as a member of the first faculty at Archbishop Carroll High School in Dayton.  Four years later she moved to Columbus to teach Spanish and Religion at Bishop Hartley High School.    

In 1968 Judi volunteered to join other Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Northeastern Brazil.  In 1968 Brazil was a military dictatorship. Also in 1968, the Latin American Bishops met in Medellin to interpret the Vatican II Documents in the light of their lived reality among the faithful.  Thus, CEBs, Ecclesial Base Communities were born.  Judi, after completing CENFI (Center for Intercultural Formation) went to Coroatá, Maranhão and lived in community with Sister Dorothy Stang.  In the early '70's Judi moved to São Domingos do Maranhão and dedicated herself to the animation of Ecclesial Base Communities. Judi also served on the staff of CENFI at the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops in Brasilia from ''79-''81.  In 1987, in her role as State Coordinator of CEBs for the 11 dioceses, Judi wrote a book entitled É Bom Lembrar (It is Good to Remember), a 20-year history of CEBs in the State of Maranhão.  Her last mission in Brazil was in Caxias, Maranhão where she served as Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator.

After 22 years of service to the Brazilian Church, Judi returned to the US in 1990 and continued her ministry among Brazilian Immigrants in Boston and Miami, Florida until 2008.  Returning to Cincinnati, Judi became Site Director with Notre Dame Mission Volunteers until she was elected to the Ohio Provincial Team in June, 2010.  Judi coordinated the Ohio Province Justice Peace Care of Creation Office from 2016-2019.  She served on both the Corporation and Board of Directors of Notre Dame Mission Volunteers and continues her support for the organization.  Currently, Judi lives at Mount Notre Dame in Cincinnati and is resource contact for information on Sister Dorothy Stang’s life and legacy.  She is also an ardent advocate for immigrants.