Judith (Leverone) Christopher

PINE PLAINS — Judith (Leverone) Christopher of Pine Plains and New York City, 88, passed away on Sept. 24, 2019. 

Born in Boston, Mass., on May 15, 1931, to Louise (Coffey) and Louis Leverone, she attended Girls Latin School and continued on to Barnard College in New York City. 

An English major, she wrote and directed the Senior Class Show. Met with great success by New York theater viewers and Barnard students, she fell in love with the theater. She remained in New York City for the rest of her life until her retirement to Pine Plains. 

Her career as a talent agent, personal manager, playwright/translator/adapter followed in that order to much success. 

She translated and adapted the Argentinian play “Kneep” on request of the author, Jorge Goldenberg. He flew to New York City and worked along with her on a very successful off-Broadway production of the play.

Her love of nature and the gardens she created in New York City and Pine Plains were a testament to her sensitive and prolific creativity. 

As a resident of West 95th Street in New York City, she gathered residents to form a Residents Association to combat drugs and crime that were plaguing the area in the early 70s. Its success was documented on Channel 5 for what became a symbol of urban unity.  

A member of the Southern Poverty Law Center for over 20 years, it added to her sense of humanity and respect for all people. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, the actor Thom Christopher.

There will be celebration of her life in December and on her birthday in New York City.

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