Many a wise administrator has learned to live by the words that say, “If you want something done, ask a busy man.” These days they might also ask a busy woman, as is the case with Judy Hibbs of Avalon.
Many a wise administrator has learned to live by the words that say, “If you want something done, ask a busy man.” These days they might also ask a busy woman, as is the case with Judy Hibbs of Avalon.
Whether it’s assisting with the CHOICES program that helps keep the youth of Avalon on the positive pathways of life, or helping to get the word out about the Womens Christmas Brunch, she’s always busy. She performs duties for various other activities around town and can usually be found in the thick of it, doing what she can to help and gives of her time with a joyful heart.
Hibbs recently also became the new Coordinator of Marketing & Community Relations for the Catalina Island Medical Center.
So what makes this energetic woman tick? We asked her and she answered below. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Judy Hibbs:
Q: How long have you lived on Catalina?
A: My husband’s family had a home on the island they purchased in the 1950’s. My first visit was in 1972. We were summer residents for 20 years and decided to move to Avalon full time in 1996.
Q: What brought you to the Island?
A: We were tired of the rain in the Pacific Northwest and wanted sunshine and a simpler life.
Q: Where were you originally born and raised?
A: I’m from Portland, Oregon but my husband grew up in Santa Ana. We met in college in Oregon, got married and raised our family there before moving to Avalon.
Q: Do you have family on the Island?
A: No, all three of our kids graduated from Avalon High but are living on the mainland. Our oldest son is a firefighter in San Diego. His twin sister lives in Henderson, NV and our youngest son lives in Van Nuys.
Q: What makes you such a dynamo? In other words what drives you to work so hard either in volunteer work or professionally?
A: I have a passion for the island and the people who live here. It’s such a unique amazing place and there are so many fun and worthwhile things to get involved in. I have always volunteered at church, my kid’s school and in the community. When we moved here I was about the only person anybody knew who didn’t have a job so I got signed up for everything … and LOVED it!
Q: Will your new position with the Catalina Island Medical Center slow down your other activities?
A: I have a helpful and understanding husband who assists me with a lot of the home chores, cooking and even helps me with all of the volunteer stuff that I do. I am very busy these days. But always ask a busy person if you want to get something done. I multi-task and keep everything organized on my i-phone. Plus I have some wonderful bosses who understand that I do a lot of different things and they are a great encouragement to me.
Q: When not working so hard, what do you do to relax or what is your favorite pastime on the Island?
A: I love to be on the water or sitting by the bay. It’s disappointing if I don’t see the ocean everyday. I also love the interior and seeing the bison, foxes, eagles, squirrels and hummingbirds around the Airport-in-the Sky. Nature recharges me. I have three wonderful adult children and four grandsons. Spending time with them is my favorite thing to do on or off of the island. They are my pride and joy.
Q: What was the most amazing thing that ever happened to you on the Island?
A: In October, I got a hug from Harrison Ford. Some pilots who fly into the Airport-in-the-Sky know him and I asked if they were ever going to bring him to meet me. I had an old photo postcard of him as Han Solo from the 1980’s. They took the card to him and said they would get his autograph. About a two weeks later they left the autographed postcard for me (on my day off). It was signed “To Judy: All the best, Harrison Ford.”
I was thrilled. Unbeknownst to me the pilots had told Mr. Ford what a huge fan I was and how badly I wanted to meet him.
On that same day, two fellas walked into the DC-3 and the tall one with the earring asked, “Who’s Judy?” I said “I am” and he opened his arms and walked toward me with that crooked Han Solo smile. All I could say was “It’s YOU!” He gave me a hug! He ordered lunch, bought an Airport hat and was such a regular nice guy. We chatted about island life and his movies. He gave me a wave and the Indiana Jones salute as he left.
It was a dream come true.
