Inez G. Lundy, 77, Philadelphia judge

Inez G. Lundy, 77, one of the first female judges for the state's Workman's Compensation Department in Philadelphia, died of complications of diabetes Sunday at Simpson House. She was a longtime resident of West Mount Airy.

The former Inez Green was the only child of a pharmacist and a homemaker who lost her mother while still a baby. She was raised in West Chester until age 15, when she moved to California with a guardian while her father served in the military during World War II.

After graduating from high school in Sacramento, she moved back to West Chester to live with her father. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1952 with a dual major in history and journalism and a master's in history in 1954, both from the University of Pennsylvania, with honors.

She taught history at Germantown High School for a few years before marrying Charles C.D. Lundy in 1960.

The newlyweds both earned law degrees from Temple University in 1963 and embarked on long and distinguished legal careers. In 1966, Judge Lundy and her husband founded the firm Lundy & Lundy in East Oak Lane.

While raising two children, Judge Lundy was named an assistant district attorney in 1969. In 1974, she went to work for the commonwealth as an assistant attorney general until she was promoted to deputy attorney general.

"Her proudest moment was when the state appointed her judge for the Workman's Compensation Department for Philadelphia in 1987," said her son, Charles Jr. "It was impressive to see how well respected she was in the courtroom. She was smart and set high standards for my sister and me, but she was always fair."

Judge Lundy had a will of steel and overcame many physical ailments while continuing to work. She had a brain tumor in 1992, underwent heart surgery, and suffered from diabetes.

"My mother was a fighter. She returned to the bench until she had to have a leg amputated and was wheelchair-bound," her son said. "She retired in 2000, but that did not stop her from attending political and social events."

In addition to her son, Judge Lundy is survived by a daughter, Enez; and four grandchildren. Her husband died in 2001.

Friends may visit at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in West Chester.

Donations may be sent to the Diabetes Education and Research Center, Box 897, Philadelphia 19105.