Judith Trotter

Judith Catherine Trotter, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and trailblazing diplomat, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, at the age of 91. Born on a crisp New Year’s Day in 1936 in a small town on the North Island, Judith grew up with a fierce curiosity about the wider world and a heart that seemed to expand with every new person she met. Those of us who knew her best remember the way her eyes lit up when she talked about the streets of Paris or the piazzas of Rome—places she called home for a decade while serving as New Zealand’s ambassador to France (1988‑1992) and later Italy (1994‑1998). Family was the compass that kept her grounded. To her husband, Michael, she was a steadfast partner whose laughter could fill a room and whose quiet strength steadied him through diplomatic storms and home‑front challenges alike. Their three children—Emma, James, and Leila—still recall the nightly ritual of “tea and tales,” when Judith would brew a pot of Earl Grey and share stories from the embassy, sprinkling each anecdote with a lesson about kindness, patience, and the power of listening. Grandchildren Lily, Noah, and Mia adored their “Grandma Jo” who would sneak them croissants on Sunday mornings and teach them to say “bonjour” with a perfect French accent. Even in her later years, she never missed a school play or a cricket match, cheering from the sidelines with the same enthusiasm she once reserved for negotiating trade agreements. Judith’s passions were as varied as the continents she served. A lover of language, she taught herself Italian and French well enough to host lively dinner parties where the conversation flowed as smoothly as the wine. Her garden, a riot of lavender, rosemary, and native New Zealand ferns, was her sanctuary—a place where she could prune, plant, and reflect on the day’s events. She was an avid reader, devouring everything from political memoirs to the poetry of Kāwhia, and she never missed a chance to share a favorite line with a friend over a cup of tea. Her love of music led her to volunteer as a piano accompanist for community choirs, where her gentle encouragement helped many find confidence in their own voices. Beyond the titles and medals—Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the 1990 Commemoration Medal, the Suffrage Centennial Medal, and France’s National Order of Merit—Judith’s true legacy lives in the countless lives she touched. Colleagues recall her diplomatic brilliance paired with an uncanny ability to make anyone feel heard, whether they were a foreign minister or a junior staff member. She mentored a generation of women in the foreign service, proving that grace and resolve could coexist in the corridors of power. Friends remember her as the person who would show up with a freshly baked scone and a listening ear, ready to turn a crisis into a shared laugh. Judith’s departure leaves a quiet space in our lives, but her spirit endures in the stories we tell, the languages we speak, and the garden she tended with love. As we gather to celebrate her remarkable journey, we carry forward her belief that the world is a better place when we approach it with curiosity, compassion, and a generous heart. Rest well, Jo—you will forever be our ambassador of love.