In Memory of Judy Jaafar

On behalf of BUFORA, it is with great sadness that I must inform everyone that Judy passed away on 28th May 2026. Judy had been ill for several years and passed away peacefully in her sleep.

BUFORA sends its deepest sympathy to Judy’s family at this time of their loss.

Judy was with BUFORA for twenty years. She was an accredited investigator and served as BUFORA Chairman for a period during those years. Judy also ran the BUFORA office for several years during that time.

Judy’s voluntary work with BUFORA always played a significant role in her life, and for many years she organised the Saturday bi-monthly London meetings, where various UFO speakers were invited. Her hospitality extended to inviting speakers to her home after these meetings for good food, drinks, and very interesting and lively discussions on all things strange. Anyone who had travelled a long way to speak at the meetings was invited to stay at her home overnight.

Judy’s knowledge and understanding of the UFO subject and extraordinary human experiences was extensive, and conversations could continue late into the night with an array of ufologists. She was unafraid to give her opinions and often challenged people involved in investigations and research within the UFO field. This encouraged informed debate and critical thinking, which can often be sadly lacking in the subject.

Judy’s priority was always the witnesses, endeavouring to give a rational explanation for a sighting or an informed insight into an up-close and personal encounter during an extraordinary human experience.

Judy’s dedication to BUFORA during her years with the association was an inspiration, and her wonderful humour and laughter were an unforgettable part of her time with colleagues and friends within ufology. She never allowed herself to take this sometimes-crazy subject too seriously and often questioned or put many aspects of it under scrutiny through her thoughtful and multi-faceted understanding of the vast landscape of UFO narratives.

I shall miss Judy always, not just as a colleague through her twenty years with BUFORA, but through all the years I knew her as my dearest friend, who so often made life such a magical and joyful experience with her inherent humour, joy, and laughter.

Farewell, and love to my unforgettable friend. In the words of Robert Rosamond, her life partner before he died in June 2020: “I’ll simply sign out, and await the next big adventure.” I hope Judy has joined Robert in that “next big adventure”.

Gloria Heather Dixon

August 2026