Obituary of Judith King Johnston

Judith King Johnston of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away suddenly on February 26, 2021, from an aneurysm of the brain. Judy was born in Chicago and grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She graduated from Goucher College in 1961, took a trip to Princeton to visit a friend, and ended up residing permanently in NJ, working for the State of NJ in the Department of Social Work. During her more than forty-year career, Judy obtained master’s degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Michigan, and she rose to a senior position in New Jersey's Social Work administration, specializing in brain trauma cases. Once retired, she maintained her association and friendship with professionals in the health field and turned her big heart toward a number of charitable causes. She also devoted her energies toward a lifelong passion for horse racing. Judy loved horses as early in her life as she could ride them. She was an avid spectator at the races whenever her Grandaddy King would take her to Arlington Park in the late 1940s and 50s on his summer visits from DC. Ultimately, Judy immersed herself in every aspect of racing as an owner of thoroughbreds. She collaborated with trainers, breeders and jockeys routinely and has decades of photographs documenting her dedication to her horses and all who helped care for them. She picked up her racing form each morning before coffee, and the racing channel was on any TV within her reach! Judy leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, devotion and generosity to those she loved. She was a longtime partner of Arthur Manyoky, and her grandchildren Jess, Garret and Caroline were the lights of her life. Judy treasured wonderful relationships with her brothers Rick (Diane) and Bob (Sheryl), their children, her daughter-in-law Lisa, Art’s son Ray, tennis pals, and many friends in the US and abroad. Judy will always be remembered for her heart of gold and kindness that she lavished upon family, friends and animals. Rest in peace, Judy.