IHA’s Judy Colitz Passes Away

With profound sadness, the International Housewares Association announces the passing of Judy Colitz on Tuesday, Jan. 26 from complications of breast cancer.

Judy served as Manager, Special Events & Executive Services. She joined IHA in 1993 in the membership services department and over the years has served as manager of membership services and manager of executive services.

She was well-known and loved in the industry for her work with the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) since its founding in 1997, IHA’s Chief Officers Reaching Excellence (CORE) share groups, the Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession (CHESS) and the Government Affairs Committee, as well as events such as the Global Innovation Awards (gia) at the International Home + Housewares Show.

“Judy’s contributions to IHA and the Housewares Charity Foundation can never be truly measured, and she will be greatly missed,” said Phil Brandl, IHA’s President & CEO. “During her 22 years at IHA, she touched many lives through her work with the HCF and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, CORE, CHESS and the other member services she administered. We have lost a devoted colleague and friend.”

“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation mourns Judy’s passing. Her devotion to BCRF and to funding research to put an end to breast cancer was unparalleled. We have lost a treasured friend,” said Leonard A. Lauder, BCRF Chairman, and Myra J. Biblowit, President.

Colitz is survived by her husband, Alan, and son, Andrew. Services will be held Thursday, Jan. 28 at Shalom Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Arlington Hts., Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Housewares Charity Foundation, c/o IHA, 6400 Shafer Ct, Ste 650, Rosemont, IL 60018 or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation