CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. expressed his condolences on the death of long-time St. Thomas resident and tireless champion of promoting the U.S. Virgin Islands, who passed away this week.
“On behalf of myself, the First Lady and the people of the Virgin Islands, I send my deepest condolences to the family and the multitude of friends who had the good fortune to know her,” Governor Bryan said. “Judi was tantamount to being a branch of the Department of Tourism. After visiting more than 50 years ago, Judi stayed to spread the word of the territory’s beauty and virtues far and wide and around the world and do all she could to preserve the islands’ natural beauty. Judi’s vibrant presence will be greatly missed.”
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism joined the Office of the Governor, members of the tourism and hospitality community, and countless Virgin Islanders in mourning the loss of Seema “Judi” Nagelberg.
Committed, enterprising and engaged, Judi came to St. Thomas in the 1960s on vacation, fell in love with the Virgin Islands, and spent the next 50-plus years dedicating herself and her work to promoting and helping to market and advance her adopted home.
Beginning with a temporary position in the Virgin Islands government’s then-new Department of Commerce (which preceded the Department of Tourism), Judi’s talents soon found her running the office, and eventually becoming manager of the St. Thomas and St. John Visitor Bureaus. Her natural hospitality and passion for the Virgin Islands led her to establish Island Meetings & Incentives, one of the Territory’s leading destination management companies, where she led a team of specialists in helping groups plan and deliver flawless, memorable experiences while visiting the islands.
Through her work in the Department of Tourism, Judi served many USVI governors as well as generations of Virgin Islanders. From supporting community-based organizations to spending Sundays at the beach or preparing her own Crucian-style pick-up saltfish, Judi demonstrated the best of what it means to be a proud Virgin Islander.
“Judi was an exemplary, visionary and passionate tourism representative for the Territory. She not only understood the importance of the industry to driving the economy of our islands, but also regularly championed and supported efforts to preserve and protect the fragile environment and ecosystems of the Virgin Islands,” said USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte. “We will miss her dearly and we extend our deepest condolences to Judi’s friends, family and loved ones.”
Meanwhile, Judi’s friends in the community were also shocked by her untimely passing.
“Judi!!!! I will MISSSSS YOU! Man your spirit and Jersey Vi made me an instant fan!” Kristin Elizabeth said. “I will cherish every laugh and moment I shred with you! Especially when you wanted to know if my dress was a mini tshirt- Love you~ in Gods hands you’ll soar!!”
“I am shocked, I went to high school with her,” Lynne Fay Bennardo said. “I saw her when she came up to spend a week in Jersey with a friend. What was the cause of death? Please tell me what happened.”