The key responsibility of the Indiana Broadcasters Association is advocacy for our industry, before Congress and the Indiana Legislature. This week we mourn the death of Judy Ripley, who worked for Capitol Assets of Indianapolis and represented the IBA before several sessions of the Indiana General Assembly.
“Judy was a former director of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and was a well-known face at the Indiana Statehouse. She represented our industry for several years before lawmakers and state government officials, making sure that the position of our industry was well understood. By nature she had a positive outlook and worked on finding solutions, which we deeply appreciate,” said IBA Executive Director Dave Arland.
Judy’s life was filled with laughter, legions of devoted friends and a keen appreciation for life’s boundless amusements. She was a prodigious reader, movie and concert-goer. She walked, jogged, water skied at Lake Tippecanoe, hiked, kayaked, rode horses, kept two bee hives, worked out four days a week, was a competitive ballroom dancer, grew prize winning dahlias, kept a gardenia plant alive for 40 years, lived on the White River for 29 years and was a member of the White River Yacht Club. She completed a triathlon when she was 60 and rarely missed a chance to wear a flamboyant hat and agreed to anything that promised fun and adventure.
She co-founded a nonprofit organization for the preservation and revitalization of the White River, now named in her honor, The Judith G. Ripley Society. At 71 years of age she was a powerful force as she personally removed invasive brush to restore the banks of the White River at Broad Ripple Park, in 95 degree heat.
She died at her home overlooking the White River, surrounded by friends, family and her beloved dogs, the jubilant Lilly and neurotic but endearing Linus.
Her full obituary can be found here.