Volunteer Spotlight: Judith Due

By Greta Engel

Phipps is well-known for our beautiful gardens, seasonal flower shows, pioneering sustainability initiatives, informative educational programs and community outreach. None of our work, however, would be possible without the knowledge and dedication of our volunteers. In this series of profiles, we meet some of the people who give their time to make Phipps possible.

Volunteer Judith Due’s dad always had beautiful gardens. After helping her dad in their garden alongside her sister, Judy decided to get her Girl Scout badge in gardening. Her dad urged her to garden on her own to earn the badge and she did just that. “I had a lovely vegetable garden, corn and all,” says Judy. Her interest in gardening has also been influenced by some of the classes at Phipps! She enjoyed classes in holiday greens arranging as well as landscaping. In 2020, one of her acquaintances told Judy about how thrilled she was to become a Master Gardener at Phipps. That same day, she went home and applied! However, the Master Gardner Class of 2020 would actually become the Class of 2022 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Nevertheless, Judy graduated as a Master Gardener and started volunteering with Phipps in 2021.

Throughout her career, Judy worked as a CPA in the tax department, eventually retiring from Schneider Downs. In her spare time, she enjoys learning new things, quilting, feeding birds and, of course, gardening. She also walks at least a mile a day outside and occasionally volunteers at Beechwood native plant sales! She used to volunteer with the Carnegie Museums where she enjoyed bringing the museum’s programs and exhibits to elementary schools in Allegheny County and seeing the children’s enthusiasm. At one time, Judy also belonged to a garden club that used to have a booth at Phipps’ beloved May Market.

Judy often volunteers as Dr. Phipps at the Conservatory, answering questions and pointing out what fruit is on the trees in the Fruit and Spice room. She is also a book host for the Master Gardener Book Club as well as an instructor aide. Judy has helped with the Native Plant Sale, both potting plants in preparation and working at the actual. Being one of her favorite events to attend, Judy also loves volunteering at the Gifts and Greens sale. This work involves pricing the greens, getting them ready for the sale, making the arrangements and helping guests at the sale. Her favorite part of volunteering is all the interesting people she has met and the endless opportunities to share knowledge with each other. Judy continues to have fun and learn more about plants as a cherished volunteer at Phipps!