Board member, advocate for schools dies at 49
Middletown school
district mourns death
of Judith Arendt
Judith Arendt
MIDDLETOWN — The community lost a tireless advocate for the township’s schools and its children last week.
Judith L. Arendt, 49, passed away Feb. 13 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.
She died after complications from pneumonia and a short struggle with cancer, said Board of Education President Patricia Walsh.
"While I feel the loss personally, the entire school system, especially all of Middletown’s children, really lost somebody who put them first here," said Walsh of her friend and fellow board member.
"Clearly when you view all that Judi did, you can see she dedicated her life to improving education. I don’t know that anyone will be able to fill her shoes," added Walsh.
"If Judi were watching, she would be holding people’s hands and saying we can get through this," said Board of Education Vice President Sherry Gevarter. "She was somebody that everybody could talk to; she was a great listener."
Arendt is survived by her husband, Paul, and her two children, Paul Michael and Stacy, both graduates of the township school system.
Elected to the Board of Education in 2000, Arendt was involved in many aspects of the school system, both big and small.
Before her tenure on the board, Arendt was known as a regular attendee at board meetings, often speaking out on important issues facing the schools
Walsh said Arendt was instrumental in putting together the district’s 1996 construction referendum as part of a citizens advisory committee and in helping the measure win voter approval.
"She not only helped develop and pass the plan to improve our schools, but continued to follow up with and help make sure things were done and done right when on the board," said Walsh.
Known to many as "Mrs. High School South," Arendt was also heavily involved in parent organizations and supporting the schools her children attended.
Arendt helped to organize the district’s Project Prom effort and would help run the after-prom parties.
In addition to her involvement with Project Prom, Arendt also used to run an internship program through the League of Women Voters to teach students about citizenship.
"She touched a lot of lives in many ways," added Walsh.
Arendt ran unsuccessfully for the school board in 1998, challenging the incumbent Back to Basics slate. In an interview at the time, she said, "There has been too much strife in the district, and it has been detrimental to everyone. I think it is time for us to heal it."
Arendt was president of the High School South Parent-Faculty Association at the time, a position she had held since 1996, and was co-president of the Parents Council.
A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, she had a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
Before moving to the Middletown district in 1992, she served on various committees for the Massapequa, N.Y., Board of Education.
Visitation and a funeral service were held Feb. 14 at John F. Pflegler Funeral Home.
A scholarship fund has been established in Arendt’s name. Donations may be sent to the Judi Arendt Scholarship Fund c/o the Middletown Board of Education, 59 Tindall Road, Middletown, 07748.