Hollister
– Educator and community leader Judith Rider passed away early
Thursday morning at the age of 62, after a yearlong battle with
cancer.
Hollister – Educator and community leader Judith Rider passed away early Thursday morning at the age of 62, after a yearlong battle with cancer.
“She loved doing things for people, with her preschool, the high school, all of that,” said her oldest son, Tim Rider. “She jumped in to help wherever she saw a need.”
Rider was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and had been in remission for some time. During what was supposed to be a minor surgery last week, however, it became apparent that the cancer had spread, and she died at 1:30 Thursday morning.
“There was no fearfulness in her,” said Ardyss Golden, Rider’s Pastor at the United Methodist Church, where she taught preschool. “She had a positive sense of going to be with God; she only wanted to make sure that her husband and preschool would be cared for, and I think she was assured of that.”
Recently, Rider was presented with an award in honor of her 16 years of service as a San Benito High School Trustee. During her four terms on the board she was a voice for improving student achievement and was an avid fan of ‘Baler athletics, particularly wrestling and football.
“She loved her kids and her grandkids, but she also loved her football and wrestling kids,” Tim said.
Even during her fight with cancer, she rarely missed a school board meeting and was widely regarded for her devotion to SBHS.
“Students of San Benito High School and members of the community can look to her as a model of how to contribute to one’s community with grace, love, and with no expectation of self-reward,” wrote SBHS Superintendent Stan Rose in a statement to high school staff. “Students and community can honor her best by following her example.”
Rider taught generations of Hollister children at the preschool housed at the United Methodist Church, where she worked for 37 years.
“There are people in this town who went to preschool here and then sent their children back to her,” Golden said. “Her favorite picture shows Jesus surrounded by little children, because she believed that our job was to show them as much love as possible and let them know that God loves them.”
This year Rider was honored as a Community Hero by the Hollister Youth Alliance and was nominated to the ‘Baler Education Foundation’s ‘Baler Hall of Fame for her service to the community.
A public memorial service will be at 4pm Monday at SBHS’ Mattson Gym for students, staff and anyone wishing to honor Rider. She is survived by seven children and stepchildren, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
“My mom really cared about this community,” Tim said. “That’s her legacy, is that she was always involved and trying to help wherever she was needed.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
ds****@fr***********.com
.
