Remembering Judy Koos
The HFC community mourns the loss of Judy Koos, who passed away on December 12, 2023.
Koos is survived by her three children and her nine grandchildren.
“My mom really loved working at the College. She also loved the people. She spoke so highly of them,” said daughter Amy Vann.
“A classy lady who was kind, capable, dependable, and considerate”
Koos worked at HFC from 1994 to 2015. She was Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services. Koos initially reported to Dr. Michael Meade until his retirement in 2005. She then reported to Dr. Lisa Jones (Copprue) until Koos retired in 2015.
“I will miss Judy, and her laugh will always continue to warm my heart,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Holly Diamond. “I loved when she would tell me jokes or funny stories that always lifted my spirits. Her warmth and genuineness will be remembered by so many.”
Retirement couldn’t keep Koos away from HFC. She would fill in for fellow Special Assistants when they were out of the office. For the last two years, she worked in the HFC Foundation part-time.
“I met Judy at the beginning of my tenure at HFC (in 2003). Judy inspired me with her youthful spirit and vibrancy; she believed in living life, not sitting still. Amazingly, she was still actively working well into her 80s after her initial retirement. Our connection was strengthened last summer when we and other HFC employees visited Italy around the same time. We liked many of the same monuments and places, including Michelangelo’s David and Venice. We both had strong family ties and values and shared similar life stories. I am filled with joy that I have known and spent time with Judy before her passing. She touched many lives, including mine,” said Director of Student Services Cassandra Fluker.
Possessing a quick wit, sharp tongue, a youthful energy that belied her age, and a strong command of the English language, Koos had a work ethic that was second to none. She could write in shorthand and was a fast typist. She also had a penchant for organizing information and data. All of these traits made her an invaluable asset at the College.
“Judy was a classy lady who was kind, dependable, and considerate. She was always helpful, including to students who came to Student Services with their special situations and issues. The world is less with Judy's passing,” said HFC President Emeritus Dr. Andy Mazzara.
Special Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs Mary Flick remembered Koos fondly.
“Judy was a wonderful, kindhearted lady,” said Flick. “She was willing to go out of her way to assist you in learning new things. She is certainly missed.”
A Vegas high-roller who dearly loved her grandchildren
A graduate of Fordson High School, Koos later completed coursework at Oakland Community College. Prior to HFC, Koos worked at Woodworth Middle School, which is part of the Dearborn Public Schools.
An avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and the University of Michigan Wolverines, Koos was always cheering for them. But she cheered the loudest for her children and grandchildren.
“Judy was so proud of her grandchildren. She shared pictures with me over the years, and I always remarked on their beautiful red hair. I was so happy to share pictures of my twins with her when they were born with red hair,” recalled former Enrollment Services Manager Rachel Kristensen. “I loved Judy, I loved our many lunches together, and I loved her laughter.”
Kristensen’s mother, Colleen Klaus, worked with Koos in Student Services at HFC.
“Judy was a special person who brightened the room with her infectious smile and kindness. She will be missed,” said Klaus.
Former Executive Assistant to the President Kathy Dimitriou made several trips to Las Vegas with Koos, along with retired Special Assistant Pat Davis and HFC Special Assistant to the Vice President of Legal Services Caryne Dematteo.
“Judy always seemed to win. I remembered her getting up at 2:00 a.m. one night. She said, ‘I can’t sleep. I’m going down to play.’ Flying to and from Vegas, Judy always made friends with whoever she sat next to on the plane. She wanted to go on another trip after I retired, but we didn’t get the chance,” recalled Dimitriou. “She was my best friend at the College. I never saw Judy mad or sad. She was always happy, always singing and humming.”
Added Dematteo: “On my last trip to Vegas with them in 2018, Judy wanted to take the red-eye home, and we all agreed. I thought, ‘What the heck? it should be a quiet flight.’ Was I wrong! We had screaming babies and then we had Judy. She never stopped talking the whole way, whether it was with me or the people sitting around her. She never met a stranger. She also was my tour guide for the Hoover Dam. She was so knowledgeable about the dam. You would have thought she built it! She was an amazing woman and a great friend. I miss her greatly.”
Advice on life and investing
Koos worked for Jones for a decade. Jones recalls a number of experiences she will treasure for the rest of her life.
“I called her ‘my Judy.’ We shared so much of what we loved doing in our work together. She was a light and a joy,” recalled Jones. “She was one of most professional and competent people I ever met, and she took great pride in her work. She served as a mentor to her peers and to our students. I could leave and know that my office was well-managed and in good hands with her. She represented HFC with such dignity and professionalism. I learned so much from her about the College and about life itself. She was a lover of life and all its experiences.”
Jones pointed out that Koos followed the stock market closely. She was a shrewd investor and brilliant financial planner.
“She taught me so much about investing!” said Jones. “She also taught our students when they’d come into the office. Many students opened a Roth IRA because of Judy’s advice. They would return years later and tell her, ‘Thank you. I’ve saved so much money because of you.’ Judy was a firm believer in ‘invest in yourself and invest in your future.’ I loved everything about her. I don’t think I’ll ever meet someone who’s as special as Judy Koos in my lifetime. She meant that much to me.”
Scholarship Coordinator and Donor Relations Associate Stacy Bazman had a similar experience.
“It was a privilege getting to know Judy and then to work with her again after she retired,” said Bazman. “Judy was full of life and adventure. She loved her family so much and got to take a big trip with her some of her grandchildren to Europe in 2023. She was so organized, loved to talk about the stock market, and would tell anyone who crossed her path to get themselves a Roth IRA and don't ever eat French fries. She went to the gym regularly, was a healthy eater, was so smart, so funny, the best storyteller, and just beautiful inside and out.”
Special Assistant to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement Diana Larson knew Koos for more than 30 years.
“Judy was my best friend. You couldn’t have had a better person in your life than Judy. She was so kind, caring, generous, and always there when you needed her,” said Larson. “Through those decades, I had the pleasure of going with her on trips to various places and accompanied her to several of her grandchildren’s dance competitions, which I truly enjoyed. Judy was so smart in life and in business. I miss Judy every day. There isn’t a time that I don’t think about her. She was one of kind. There will never be another Judy. She is forever in my heart.”
Donations can be made in Judy Koos' name to The American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
