Judith Ann Nagel, age 73 of Silver Spring, MD died October 23, 2011 at Casey House Hospice, Rockville, MD. Jude was born August 29, 1938 in Logansport, Indiana moving to Washington, DC as a child. She was educated in Washington schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957. She continued her education at American University and received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Fine Arts Degrees, graduating with honors. Jude was married to Warren T. Nagel on July 25, 1964 at National Presbyterian Church in Washington. Together they moved to Silver Spring in 1969 to start their family. Warren passed away May 9, 1994.
Jude taught art at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Springs for a number of years in the 1960’s. She eventually left teaching and established a studio in New York City. As an artist, Jude was able to creatively express her feelings and love of life, and she traveled throughout the country showing her work. Jude was the sole visual artist displayed for three years on the set of “Greenroom”, a weekly Public Television program devoted to art in the Washington area. She also had a one man show at the Castle Arts Center in Hyattsville, MD. Most recently her work was displayed at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA, The Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD and the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, MD. Although Jude was an accomplished artist, she continually expanded her knowledge by attending art retreats. Over the years, Jude worked in multiple art media such as acrylics, oils, photography, sculpture, welding, collages and most recently encaustic. Jude was awarded the Elizabeth Van Swenderin grant for excellence in fine arts and was awarded top honors by the Audubon Society for painting. Jude’s work was represented by the IFA Gallery Inc. in Washington, DC for 17 years and can be found in private as well as corporate, national and international collections.
She also trained search and rescue dogs with DOGS East. Jude and her dog Moose traveled to various disaster locations, such as the 1985 Earthquake in Mexico City, as well as assisting in the location of missing persons. Jude operated her own dog training company in the 1980’s and 90’s.
Jude had a true zest for life. She enjoyed gardening, travel, and meeting new people. Jude found great joy in helping others and she had a willingness to discuss any topic. Jude was a member of Mensa International, The National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), the Maryland Federation of Art (MFA), and she was a National Associate with the Smithsonian Institute.
Surviving are her daughter Niki Nagel and her fiancé Doug Jones of Annapolis, MD, her companion for many years Harry “Buck” Goodman of Olney, MD and special friends Judy McKenzie and family, Joan Leib and family and Marie Pavlicek-Wehrli and family.
A private celebration of Jude’s life was held at the home of Judy McKenzie.
A public celebration of life and showing of Jude’s art is being held December 5-29, 2012 at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave, Suite E, Bethesda, MD 20814, www.bethesda.org. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday 12 – 6 PM Opening Reception December 14, 2012 from 6 – 9 P.M.