Chronicle 2019

OLD GIRLS AWARDS

“Ratty was my basketball and softball coach and was always a steady, positive, strong and calming presence. We knew clearly when she was less than pleased with our play BUT she always spoke positively with us and encouraged us to do our best. Ratty was a very steady role model when I was School Games Captain, and as I realized later, a role model for life. She remembers everyone and truly cares about her students’ well-being at HC and after leaving school. Ratty was true-blue, as we say. She was dedicated and committed – a gift to fledgling young women.” - Julie McKenzie Gilbert 1975 Judy is so proud to be a Havergal Old Girl. Her generosity, unfailing loyalty and deep gratitude for all the opportunities she has enjoyed and families she has known indicate how strongly the school is embedded in her heart. Our senior basketball team had miraculously qualified for OFSAA by beating the top team in the city two games in a row to close out the season – even Ratty will tell you it was a miracle. Our flight was late, so we went directly from the airport to the gym for the first game. I think we scored points. As always, Ratty kept our spirits high, knowing we had more games to play, and reminding us that we were at OFSAA and that in itself was an accomplishment. After the game, our entire team piled into a white van with Ratty at the helm, bee-lining for the hotel so we could get ready for the banquet dinner. After an (unintentional!) tour of downtown Timmins, we found the banquet hall. She was treated like royalty. We figured out during the introduction of the winner of that year’s OFSAA Coach of the Year Award that our coach was the winner. She received a standing ovation from the room as she accepted her award. We could not have been more proud as we started a “Ratty Ratty” chant and were joined by everyone. - Aimee Beeston 1994

Judy moved on to study at McGill University. When she returned to Toronto, Miss Steele asked her to coach Senior School teams. The next year, Judy also filled in for a Junior School physical education teacher who left mid- year. In 1958, she became a full-time teacher in the Junior School and in 1966, she became co-head of the Physical Education Department, a position she held until she retired in June 1994. “Ratty always had a wonderful, personal connection with each player on her teams. Her quiet leadership style was effective and great role-modelling. Ratty saw humour easily, always had a twinkle in her eye and a ready laugh. I am so grateful to know this inspiring, impactful woman. It was a privilege to play basketball for Ratty. She made sport FUN.” - Catherine Lawrence 1977 In this position, she worked hard with the heads of Phys. Ed. in the four other independent girls’ schools in Toronto to form an athletic league that would enable them to compete at the provincial level. This league didn’t have enough member schools or students to be recognized by the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA), so Judy approached the Catholic league (TDCAA) to accept Havergal College into that association. Two years later, in 1982, it became a member. In 1993, Judy received the OFSAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year Award, and in 1996 she was given an award in recognition of the role she played in supporting and advancing women’s ice hockey in Ontario. Since retirement, Judy has attended every Reunion and event at Havergal to which she has been invited. She has dropped the puck many times for the opening of the BSS vs. HC Elizabeth Hewitt Cup hockey game and coached the Old Girls basketball and hockey teams on Celebration Saturday.

PHOTO: NIAMH BARRY 2009 ?

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