Judith Jacobs Friedt incorporated music in psychotherapy

Through music and her work as a psychotherapist, Judith Susan Jacobs Friedt touched many lives.

"She helped me think about music in a different way - that music is a form of communication, a bonding communication," said Werner Schimmelbusch, a friend and colleague.

"We joked that if babies could speak, they'd agree that music is the most universal language."

Promoted festival

For 19 years Mrs. Friedt helped develop and promote the summer Seattle Chamber Music Festival and held chamber-music events at her home, which were most cherished by her friends.

Mrs. Friedt died Wednesday (May 10) of pneumonia after a 10-month battle with lung cancer. She was 58.

Reared in Seattle, she graduated with a degree in music from Seattle University, where she met her husband, David Friedt, of 31 years.

"She played piano at age 3," her husband said. "She was a wonderful musician, and she continued to take lessons throughout her cancer."

After rearing three children, Mrs. Friedt returned to college and graduated 14 years ago from Antioch University with a master's degree in psychology.

Those who worked with her remember a caring, committed person dedicated to her patients.

"She was interested in how the mind worked and how feelings could be connected," Schimmelbusch said. "Relationships to people were very important to her and deepened her understanding of people and helped her help people."

David Freidt said his wife was proud to have found her niche in life - having come from a successful family.

A peer and professional

Mrs. Friedt's father owned Jay Jacobs, a national clothing store, and her uncle, Sam Rubenstein, is a successful Seattle investor.

"Judy had been searching for something where she could be a peer, a professional and regarded in her own right," he said.

"I will remember all the little things that we did together and through our beautiful children who are very much her."

Other survivors include Mrs. Friedt's daughters, Jennifer Jeffries of California and Jessica Friedt of Seattle; son Jason Friedt of Seattle; father Jay Jacobs; and sister Shelley Swerland of Seattle.

Memorial services were held Sunday.

The family suggests remembrances be sent to the Judy J. Friedt Lung Cancer Research Memorial Fund at the Tumor Institute at Swedish Medical Center, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, or to the Judy Jacobs Friedt Endowment for Lung Cancer Research at the American Lung Association of Washington, 2625 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121.