As one of only two females to graduate in Economics at the University in 1967, Judith McDowall was breaking boundaries at a young age. While studying she took full advantage of university life as a passionate sportswoman and devoted member of the Chapel Choir. She went on to work abroad, and in the UK, always with an energetic spirit of adventure that saw her travel the world on her own.
After being a generous lifetime donor to the University since 2001 and an enthusiastic supporter of a variety of events, Judy, as she was known, chose to leave an unrestricted gift in her will to the University, to be used where it is needed most, allowing the University flexibility when prioritising its use for the greatest benefit.
Judy was born on 16 February 1945 and as her parents were based between the Sudan and the UK, her education before university was split between Khartoum & Glasgow.
While at university, Judy’s interests were much wider than purely academic, with sport and singing in the Chapel Choir playing a major role in her extracurricular life. She played badminton and netball and was a member of the University Rowing Club as cox for the University Women’s Crew. The joy of being a member of the women’s crew that won the British Universities’ Women’s Regatta Race was tinged with the disappointment of not being awarded full blues. The all-male office holders of the Boat Club at the time refused the honour of full blues to the women’s team because that would have meant that they couldn’t award full blues to all the men’s crew. So, the men got their full blues and Judy’s crew were awarded half blues - a decision which made Judy justifiably indignant right up until she was in her 70s.
After graduation, Judy taught Economics at Silliman University in the Philippines from 1967 to 1969 through Voluntary Services Overseas. On her return to the UK, Judy was employed with the GPO in London, Rugby, and Edinburgh where she was involved in establishing Parcelforce, a novel development at the time.
After almost 20 years with the Post Office, Judy resigned and embarked on a round-the-world adventure on her own.
Back in the UK she changed tack and spent a year as Acting Deaconess at South Leith Parish Church before moving to the Iona Community, working between the Community’s offices in Glasgow and Iona itself.
On her retirement, she moved to Comrie, Perthshire where she got involved with several community groups such as the Singalong, the Scottish country dancing group, running the Tradecraft stall, serving on the Community Council, Messy Church, the quilting group and delivering library books. Music was very important to her throughout her life, and she also sang with the Crieff Choral Group and the Church Choir which gave her great pleasure. Her central focus was the church where she was an elder, a member of the Prayer Circle and assumed responsibility for various aspects of church life. This was a core part of Judy’s life and faith, as had been the case during her time with the University Chapel Choir.
A woman always open to fresh challenges, Judy’s travel adventures continued in her retirement with a trip from St Petersburg to Beijing by train and returning to Sudan, where she recognised the route which crossed the River Nile and took her to the nursery she attended in Khartoum. She also walked several routes of the Camino, ultimately acting as manager of one of the refugios on the northern Spanish route – learning Spanish to do so.
Following her death in July last year, the warm messages from her friends and carers demonstrated just how much she was valued and loved within her community. The generosity of Judy’s legacy gift will have a lasting impact on the University and, as it is free from restriction, will give the University maximum flexibility when prioritising its use to ensure greatest benefit.
We are extremely grateful for Judy’s generosity and to everyone who pledges a gift in their will to the University. If you would like to find out more about remembering the University in your will, please contact: Vanessa Holmes, Development Officer for Legacy Giving at vanessa.holmes@abdn.ac.uk or +44(0)1224 274132.
The University has partnered with Bequeathed to offer an exclusive free will writing service in the UK for staff, alumni and supporters and you can find out more about Bequeathed here.
