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In Solidarity for 
Peace, Bread and Justice!

A Joint Project of the Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods
and 
Maine Equal Justice

Volume 10  No. 1

 March 2006


Judy Guay
Tireless advocate, wise women and great friend!

Founding member, M.A.I.N. president, and our beloved friend Judy Guay died peacefully on February 28, 2006 at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Her best friend and husband Ron was at her side, and she was surrounded by her children, other relatives, and a few friends. Although Judy’s illness prevented her from regular participation in M.A.I.N. activities over the past year, we continued to depend on her wisdom and experience. We were especially happy that she took part in the November conference. A memorial to celebrate Judy’s life is being planned for the spring. We’ll let you know when.

M.A.I.N. is grateful to several people who have helped out in Judy’s absence: Russell Anderson, MAIN's new president, Shannon Collins treasurer, and Steve Hoad meeting minutes taker. We plan to have formal elections at our fall conference. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us.

M.A.I.N.’s new contact information:

M.A.I.N., P.O. Box 69, Hallowell, ME 04347
Russell Anderson, 832-4754
Steve Hoad, 445-2141

In Memory of Judy Guay

Our beloved friend Judy Guay died peacefully on Tuesday, February 28 at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Her best friend and husband Ron was at her side, as were her children, other relatives, and several friends.

Judy was a tireless advocate, wise woman and great friend. She’ll be missed by many in so many ways. We trust her spirit will live in each of us as we rededicate ourselves to work together for peace, bread and justice for all.

Judy served as president of MAIN since it began in 1981. Along with Bob Philbrook who died in Oct. 2003, Judy led MAIN to become a respected voice for low-income people at the State House, in the press, and in neighborhoods throughout the State. Judy also played a key role in establishing Maine Equal Justice in 1996 when changes in federal law restricted Pine Tree Legal Assistance from representing low-income people on many forms of systemic change. She wanted to be sure that low-income people would continue to have support in advocating for their needs in Augusta.

This is a list of some of the things, besides being a parent, Judy was involved in throughout her life. It demonstrates that Judy truly believed “life was not a spectator sport.”

Elected/ Appointed Positions:
Bangor School Committee; Special Education Board of Directors—Region 4; Vocational Education Board of Directors—Region 4; Commission to Study the General Assistance Program; Commission to Study the Problem of Homelessness; Dirigo Commission

Community Service
Women’s Church League & other church-related activities; Girl Scout Leader/Cub Scout leader; PTO, Down East School; Founder and member of POWER-Bangor; Edmund S. Muskie Commission to Study the Legal Needs of Maine Citizens

Service on Boards of Directors
Pine Tree Legal Assistance; Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center; Maine Women’s Fund; Haymarket People’s Fund; State Independent Living Council

Employment
Client Advocate in Maine’s welfare to work programs; Vista Volunteer, Community of Pride

Awards
Marianne Hartman Award; Maine Chapter, National Association of Social Workers; Consumers for Affordable Health Care Advocacy Award; Hands of Peace Award

Judy Guay Memorial Fund

A special Memorial Fund has been established at Pine Tree Legal Assistance to help with funeral expenses. It’s a small way we can give back to Judy and her family for many, many years of volunteer service. Contributions of any amount will be greatly appreciated.

Send check payable to:
Pine Tree Legal Assistance, with a notation "Judy Guay Memorial Fund."

Send to:
PTLA, P.O. Box 547,
Portland, ME 04112

Share your memories

Please go to our Judy Guay Memorial website to share your thoughts and memories of Judy and all she has done for the people of Maine. Your contribution will be a great comfort to Judy’s family and friends.

Condolences can also be sent to Judy’s husband, Ron, and the family who were so supportive and essential to her activism.

Ron Guay
P.O. Box 2711
Bangor, ME 04402

Here are quotes from a few of Judy’s friends and admirers.

An Angel Among Us

She was an angel among us
although she'd say "no, not I.,
I'm an ordinary person
who is trying to get by."

She was an angel among us
who listened with her heart,
and in her gentle manner
her wisdom she would impart.

She was an angel among us
so strong, so brave, so true.
She has left a wonderful legacy
for everyone she knew.

Our tribute to our angel
must be to follow her lead,
fight the fight, follow the cause,
and help all those in need.

She was an angel among us,
she loved and touched all she knew.
She'll stay alive within our hearts
through the good deeds that we do.

By Karene York, Orono

“Each one of us has special people in our lives. People who inspire us; who warm our hearts when they come into a room. People we love and admire for their passion, their spirit, their great heart—and their commitment to building a better world. For me, and for the many, many others whose lives she has touched, Judy Guay is one of those very special people.

Judy has never been shy about challenging elected officials—about speaking the truth about what it’s like to be poor; about the need to treat people fairly, with dignity and respect. She has been the conscience of many a politician and policy maker.

Judy will be the first to say that no person, and even no organization, can make these kind of changes alone. With her whole heart she believes that we must work together—that change is up to all of us; in her words “that that life is not a spectator sport”. She’s right, but she doesn’t just believe that, she makes it happen. Her ability to draw people together from different organizations, different parts of the state and even different points of view is one of her greatest strengths.

Judy helps us to hope, to believe in the possible; she helps us find our own voices; she teaches us that together we can make a difference; she builds community wherever she goes and we are all better for knowing her.”

Part of a speech given by Maine Equal Justice’s Chris Hastedt in October 2004 when Judy received the “Hands for Peace” award from the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine.

“It's hard for most people, lawyers or not, to step forward in public and "speak truth to power," and this is especially true for our low-income clients. We can all be inspired by Judy's example, remembering how she championed justice in meetings with sitting Governors and other elected officials, Chief Justices and lawyers from around the State, and how she helped many wealthy Mainers understand the reality and the needs of those who live day to day.”

Nan Heald, Pine Tree Legal Assistance executive director

“She was one of the most kind, enthusiastic, non-judgmental and wise persons I have ever known. She will be missed by all who knew her, but not forgotten. Her spirit will continue to live on in all of us.”

Vickie McCarty, Milbridge

“Judy was a wonderful inspiration to me on the AFDC Advisory Council and in the many hearings we attended together. I know Bob Philbrook was waiting to greet her.”

Kathy Moore, Waterville

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