March 2024 - 14

Judyann Takes the Cake
Meet the 2024 Goodwill Member of the Year
By Amy Casanova
J
udyann Schnorf of Mount Pleasant SC has plenty
of experience tending to the needs of others. " I took
care of my uncle, mom and husband for 21 years, "
said Judyann. " One right after the other. "
They were all stricken with Alzheimer's disease and Judyann
was devoted to them. Even when doctors recommended
her husband enter a facility, Judyann resisted. It was only
when her own health began to suffer that she relented. It was
around then her friend Marian Mottley said to her, " There's
a bridge class and you're going to go and you're going to take
lessons. Two hours a week. " Soon, Judyann started playing
at the Charleston Bridge and Education Center.
She is grateful to her instructors: Tina
Radding, who won the first ABTA Bridge
Teacher of the Year award in 2010, and Andy
Hurd, who are " absolutely fabulous teachers.
" I walked into the bridge center, and I
walked into a family, " she remembers. " It
was just wonderful. It was a place I could
go and not think of him. "
When Judyann suffered an illness that
left her housebound to recover, her friends
would leave food at the door. " They kept me
alive, " she said.
After she recovered, she started to reJudyann
Schnorf
turn the favor.
" She treats everyone like family, " said Paul Wright, a
neighbor who met Judyann 18 years ago when she started
playing bridge. " What she does for people in need or distress,
such as being sick at home or after losing a loved one
... she will take them dinners for weeks until they are able
to take care of themselves. "
After suffering a bad fall and breaking several bones,
Rosalie Crouch was in need. " I live alone out in the country,
20 miles from any pharmacy or grocery store. Gets a
little complicated if you cannot drive or function.
" I had known Judyann from the bridge center; I would
say we were casual friends. Judyann called to say she
would like to come visit and could she pick up anything for
me, so I asked her to pick up my prescriptions, which was
a bit out of her way, but she sweetly agreed. She marched
in with a friend that she had recruited to help. She first got
me into a comfortable chair and proceeded to strip the bed,
put on clean sheets, do the laundry and vacuum the house.
She made dinner and left food for several days.
14 | Bridge Bulletin | March 2024
" She could not have been kinder, and that was certainly
a time when I needed help. She was back again in two
weeks to repeat the whole process! I am a private person
and do not ask for help. She somehow knew that I needed
more than a casserole. I cannot imagine a more helpful
and kind person. She is so deserving of this. "
Judyann's thoughtfulness extends to those she hasn't even
met. When Lorraine Pellegrini was in the hospital for 34
days, she recalled that " once a week, Judyann baked goodies
for all the nurses and rehab technicians on my floor to show
appreciation for their hard work while they attended to me.
" Judyann loves to bake. She has said
she is most relaxed in her kitchen, " said
Lorraine.
Paul noted that Judyann's baking talents
are on display every Monday when she
bakes an array of different flavored cakes,
so large that they become a delightful part
of Tuesday's game as well. She extended
her generosity to the club's auction, donating
seven custom-made cakes to the
highest bidders, resulting in substantial
proceeds for the Charleston Bridge and
Education Center.
It's not all cake and cookies. " For 18
years, I've brought in all the strays from bridge for Christmas, "
said Judyann. " From eight to 15 people, a sit-down
dinner. I cook it all. All homemade. That way, they are not
alone, and neither am I. What a blessing to be able to do. "
The high costs at the grocery store haven't slowed Judyann
down. " I'm 78. There's no bank in heaven. I'm not rich
but I'm rich with friends. "
Judyann's positive impact goes beyond food. Eileen
Evans described Judyann's " unwavering commitment to
the game of bridge, exemplifying excellent sportsmanship,
participation and an exemplary code of ethics. Her
dedication shines through various acts of goodwill, which
are a testament to her extraordinary character. "
Those various acts of goodwill include welcoming and
mentoring new bridge players and offering to play with anyone
regardless of their skill level. Judyann loans her personal
bridge books out and volunteers at the local sectional.
Her presence helps to create an exceptionally friendly atmosphere.
" When I play bridge, I'm very relaxed, " said
continued on page 25
March 2024

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