William Penn High School Alumna Judith Ruth Gordon Was A Multi-Talented Athlete, Dedicated Social Worker, And Passionate Patron Of The Arts
February 12, 2026
This article was last updated by Reesav Niroula on February 12, 2026
Judith Ruth Gordon, who passed away on January 11, 2026, at the age of 85, was not only an alumna of William Penn High School but also a versatile athlete who excelled in various sports, including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, golf, badminton, and bowling.
Her skills weren’t limited; she was also a foul-shooting champion, showcasing her competitive spirit and athletic dedication.
Judith was born on July 24, 1939, in New York City. She grew up in a family of Jewish refugees from Russia.
Her father, William Gordon, managed fur departments in department stores, while her mother, Goldie Levy, dedicated herself to homemaking.
As William pursued different career opportunities, the family moved frequently, allowing Judith to experience life in various parts of America, including Brooklyn, Worcester, MA, and York, PA.
Judith completed high school in 1957 and pursued higher education at Penn State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts.
She later received a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University, which enabled her to begin a career of serving others.
After moving to San Francisco, Judith became a child welfare supervisor at the city’s Department of Social Services.
She loved learning and wanted to grow, so she continued her from Golden Gate University School of Law.
Judith Ruth Gordon’s Death Has Left A Great Loss In Her Family, Students And The San Jose Theater Community
Later in life, Judith transitioned from social work to teaching English as a second language. She was also involved in real estate, buying, fixing up, and selling homes in the San Jose area.
Her legal background proved invaluable in her real estate endeavors, serving her well as an investor.
Aside from her professional purposes, Judith was a lover of the performing arts.
She volunteered and was a paid usher for plays and movies in the San Jose area, including at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts, the California Theatre, the Montgomery Theater, the Lucie Stern Theater, and the Cinequest Film Festival.
She served as house supervisor and head usher for several years and earned a reputation as a good leader due to her cheerful smile, friendly nature, and capacity to manage surprises.
Judith Ruth Gordon also volunteered on Kaiser Permanente’s patient community advisory committee for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She was committed to assisting individuals who had health issues.
followed a major stroke a few weeks prior and left a huge hole in the hearts of her cousins, her clients, and their families in her social work, her students, her friends in the COPD community, and her fellow volunteers, staff, actors, and audience members in the San Jose area theater community.
Judith Ruth Gordon was called an “Energizer Bunny of activity and enthusiasm.” She will be recalled as someone who spread joy into other people’s lives.
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