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Judy Markey, 82, died after choosing to end her life through assisted suicide in Switzerland due to a degenerative neurological condition. Known as "The Girlfriend" on Chicago’s popular “Kathy and Judy Show,” Markey was a celebrated radio personality who hosted the show from 1989 to 2009 and again from 2013 until 2017. Her final moments reportedly were filled with humor, including joking about needing something stronger than Advil for a headache caused by eating part of a Snickers bar.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Judy Markey, an 82-year-old beloved Chicago radio host known for her documentary-style show Chicago Slices and What the El, passed away on September 11 after choosing to end her life through assisted suicide at a clinic in Switzerland. Markey, who had been battling an undisclosed neurological disorder since early 2024, made this decision after living a fulfilling life. She was highly respected in journalism and recognized as one of Chicago's "One Hundred Most Influential Women" by Crain's Chicago Business and among the "Top One Hundred Talk Show Hosts" by Talkers magazine. Markey is survived by her husband, Tom Collinger, two children, stepchildren, and two granddaughters. She co-hosted WGN Radio's morning show with Kathy O'Malley from 1989 to 2009 and returned in 2013 for four more years.
Written for “Judy Markey's Death” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Judy Markey, the beloved co-host of the long-running Chicago radio program the “Kathy and Judy Show,” died after a voluntary assisted suicide in Switzerland.
asserted
Markey → run → Switzerland
Markey, 82, suffered from a degenerative neurological disorder, which led her to the decision to end her life on her own terms, and was reportedly kidding around until her final moments.
uncertain
which → suffer → moments
Before slipping away, she said she had a headache after taking a few bites of a Snickers bar.
asserted
she → slip → bar
Her husband, Tom Collinger, asked, “Do you want some Advil?” to which she replied, “I kind of want something a little stronger,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
asserted
Times → ask → something
Markey hosted the popular call-in morning talk show on WGN-AM 720 with host Kathy O’Malley from 1989 to 2009, and picked up again in 2013 on weekends for another four years.
asserted
Markey → host → years
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
asserted
Report → start → news
The duo, who were known as “The Girlfriends,” counted many male listeners among their fans.
asserted
who → know → fans
She started her career as a syndicated columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times before pivoting to radio, where she distinguished herself, and is recognized in Northwestern Medill’s Hall of Achievement, as one of Chicago’s “One Hundred Most Influential Women” and one of the “Top One Hundred Talk Show Hosts.”
asserted
she → start → Hosts
This is a developing story.
asserted
This → develop → ?
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