Meet Judy
Grief Recovery Specialist
Certified Grief Educator and Coach
Judy is no stranger to trauma and grief. While providing support to her son who was affected by mental illness, she lost her father, stepmother and surrogate grandmother, all within a 5-year period. While traversing the journey of grief from these losses, Judy’s life changed forever in 2021 when her 28-year-old son died by suicide.
She has advocated strongly for improvements to the Mental Health system. She has been the major speaker at fundraising events for Mental Health and in 2022 her commitment to mental health research enabled fundraising in excess of $800,000.
​
Judy’s prime focus is supporting individuals who are suffering from grief, sharing her experiences, and recognizing that grief is different for everyone. There is no “one size” that fits the grief journey.
​
Grief can occur and re-occur at any stage of life. She compares her experience of grief with a jigsaw puzzle - trying to put our lives back together one piece at a time and sometimes the pieces don’t fit. However, over time with help and support the pieces start to fall back into place. Judy will share her insights into how the grief process is an oscillating process.
Judy Thomas’ 40 years of experience have included roles as a Certified Professional Coach, High Performance Team Facilitator and Senior HR Specialist. She has developed a very successful consulting business with her commitment to professional and personal excellence.
​
Judy’s primary focus is now providing grief recovery guidance and support by demonstrating care and compassion for families and individuals who are grieving.
Her success has been attributed to her ability to explore the needs of her clients while providing compassionate support.
While her son Michael spent many years in the mental health system, Judy worked as a volunteer in the community as a Certified Family Wellness Recovery Facilitator, Certified Peer Support Worker, and a member of the Royal Ottawa Family Advisory Council. She is an active board member of the Royal Ottawa Volunteer Association.
