Judith Appel Mathey
Judith (Judy) Appel Mathey transitioned peacefully in the comfort of her home in the Village of Mendocino on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Her loving surviving husband, Robert (Bob) D. Mathey was at her side to comfort her during her last hours. “Though you may not make a big impact in the world, it is more important the smaller impacts you make in a person’s life that sends a ripple effect on the world around them.” ~Judy
She was always coming up with creative ways to help not only individuals, but communities and organizations she was associated with, as her respective way of improving the world around her. She exhibited complete attention to detail with formidable organizational skills. She poured her time and heart into projects that she felt were meaningful.
Judy was born in Maryland on April 9, 1940, to William and Louise Appel. While attending Northwestern University for her liberal arts degree, she met her soulmate, Bob. The two married after university and later moved to Los Angeles where they lived in the Malibu Hills. Her career in retail, which had begun at the Marshall Field & Co. in Chicago, flourished in California as Fashion Director for the Southern Division of Luxury Retailer I. Magnin & Co..
It was an extraordinary time in fashion and Judy had the pleasure of working with the likes of: Yves St. Laurent, Givenchy, Marc Bohan of Christian Dior, Norman Norell, Gus Tassell, among many others, who presented their fashion shows for I. Magnin. Judy learned so much from contact with some of the great designers of the time about the finest of fabrics available, the couture sewing techniques, style, and accessorizing. Besides working with these stars, Judy presented many large charity fashion shows for I. Magnin & Co. The job included the full range of tasks from selecting models, the clothes, accessories, line-up, commentary, and presenting the show.
Judy later became a professional instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). During her tenure, she made an impact on the institute and became the expert in historical costume. Her research led her to create, curate, and categorize the costume lab at FIDM and eventually form a production company to film these museum quality historical pieces.
Judy’s love of and knowledge of historical costume led her to become a board member for: the Costume Society of America (CSA), the Costume Council for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Ancient Art Council Board of LACMA, the Docent Council Board of the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Junior League of Southern California’s Antique Show. Her duties ranged from honorary committee seat to executive positions. She was a prominent figure in organizing one of the largest fundraising Gala’s at LACMA to date known as “A Night in a Persian Garden;” and even spearheaded the structure, organization, and success of the CSA endowment. Judy was a recipient of the CSA fellow award to honor her accomplishments and service to the organization.
After traveling across major parts of the world, from Europe to Antarctica, Judy and Bob moved to Mendocino from Malibu in 1992 and the established a wonderful life in this enriching community. Judy’s love of fashion and the arts expanded to a love for natural art, in the form of gardens. As Judy put it “consider gardening a weaving of color, texture, and shape. The tapestry of flora and fauna is a constant source of nourishment and harmony.” The garden at their Mendocino home, known as Harmony Woods, became their solace and joy, featuring a myriad of rhododendrons, conifers, ferns, maples, and perennials thriving under the cathedral of redwoods. Over the decades, they hosted functions for different organizations such as the Mendocino Community Foundation; master gardener groups from all over the world; public tours under the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program; and for countless friends and family. Their garden is now proudly archived in the American Gardens of the Smithsonian Institution.
From volunteering at the Mendocino Community Library; to the Fort Bragg Botanical Gardens; to cosponsoring the Mendocino Music Festivals; and cocreating the Mendocino Merchant Maps sought by many, Judy has genuinely made a massive impact in her community.
Judy had the uncanny ability to bring out the best in everyone around her. It was her happiness and complete peace that made it uncomfortable and nearly impossible for others to complain or to discuss problems with negativity. When others spent time around her, she brought them up to her level of joy, dignity, and happiness, and it was this transformative ability that made her a delight to be around. She was committed in the past, present, and future wellbeing of everything and everyone she encountered. Judith Appel Mathey is a once in a lifetime person and will be remembered gracefully by everyone who knew her in this lifetime.