Jody Rodman Walker

Jody Walker passed away on July 15, 2026, in Abington, PA after a brief illness at the age of 70. She was an organ donor, her final act of compassion. She was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Elkins Park, PA. She lived most of her adult life in New York City and Brookline, MA.

She was the mother of Jack Walker Adams, sister of Daniel and Andrew Walker (who both predeceased Jody), sister-in-law of Doreen Walker, aunt of Maeve Walker, companion to Andrew’s partner Cynthia Eby, daughter of Herbert and Elaine Walker and a long-term friend to a close circle of confidants.

After starting to study foreign languages at Middlebury College, she returned to Philadelphia to help take care of her brothers as they struggled with a hereditary kidney disease. She resumed college at Arcadia University where she earned a Bachelors in Fine Arts.

After she moved to New York City, she worked as a textile designer. She assisted her former husband, visual artist Dennis Adams, with managing the business side of his creative endeavors. She became his business manager, the proverbial capable, self-effacing woman behind the successful man. Their work together led them to travel and live in Europe and the Middle East.

There is nothing or no one she cared more about than her son Jack. When she figured out that he had special needs, she became a student of his disabilities and a relentless advocate for him.

While living in Boston, she continued her education, and received a Masters in Library Science from Simmons University. That led to work as a program manager at Simmons and later, as an administrator at Boston University School of Medicine.

Throughout her life, Jody was a visual artist and craft person. She was also an excellent cook and baker. For special occasions, she would make cakes with decorations befitting the person and the occasion. The cakes were celebratory, witty and delicious. Jody delighted in making presents for birthdays and holidays. The gift wrapping and cards were as beautiful and ingenious as the gifts themselves. With Jack as her inspiration, she was especially interested in visual communication.

She returned to the Philadelphia area to help her brother Andrew as he entered the late stages of kidney disease, at the same time the disease began to take an increasing toll on her own health. She was a member of Congregation Beth Or in Ambler, PA.

Jody was loving, full of warmth and tremendously capable. In addition to her gift for languages, her imagination and creativity, she was a superb planner and organizer. She will be remembered as an adoring mother, a dedicated sister and a loyal friend.

Jody generously supported many nonprofits. If you wish to honor her memory by making a charitable donation, please make it to an organization you care about or Philabundance (www.philabundance.org), which Jody championed.