In Loving Memory of Judy Henson

Dear Friends of Women’s Bean Project,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Judy Henson, our Director of Business Operations, passed away unexpectedly on September 16, 2026. Many of you knew Judy, and many more of you have felt her impact without ever realizing it. We wanted you to hear this news from us, and to have a chance to remember her together.

For the past five years, Judy was part of the heartbeat of The Bean, and she wore more hats than we could count. She designed products, ordered supplies, oversaw production, pitched in on packaging, worked with volunteer groups, led tours; the list goes on. Our upcoming catalog carries her fingerprints on almost every page, from the products themselves to the care that went into making them.

What those of us who worked alongside Judy will remember most is how she made people feel. When she talked to you, she gave you her full attention, and you knew that what you were saying mattered. She was a mentor to participants and staff, helping people on her team grow, learn, and find confidence in their roles. Her belief in the women in our program was unwavering, and her passion for helping others was a core component of everything she did.

Judy was an optimist through and through. No matter how tight a deadline or tangled a problem, she believed things would work out, and more often than not, her steady confidence helped make it so. She was deeply analytical, and everything she did was attended to with thought and care. And she did it all with a wry sense of humor that brightened our building and our days.

Her loss is felt profoundly by our staff, the women in our program, and everyone whose life she touched. We are holding her family and loved ones in our hearts, and we are leaning on one another as we grieve.

We would love to hear your memories of Judy. If you’d like to share a story or a note for her family or our team, please send them to shelby.mattingly@womensbeanproject.com or use the form below.

Judy has left a permanent legacy at Women’s Bean Project. We will carry her dedication forward in the work we do every day, and we will miss her dearly as a colleague and a friend.

With gratitude and heavy hearts,

Shelby Mattingly on behalf of The Bean Team