Judy Markey, a prominent Chicago radio host known for co-hosting the popular "Kathy and Judy Show" on WGN-AM, died peacefully on September 11, 2026, at a clinic in Switzerland. She was 82 years old.

Markey's co-host, Kathy O'Malley, confirmed her death, stating that Markey died with her family by her side. The cause was assisted suicide, undertaken after Markey was diagnosed with an undisclosed neurological disorder. Markey made the decision to end her life under Switzerland's Medical Aid in Dying law shortly after her diagnosis.

Markey and O'Malley hosted the "Kathy and Judy Show" from 1989 to 2009, developing a large following who affectionately called themselves "the girlfriends." The program, which focused on personal topics such as sex, marriage, and family issues, relied heavily on listener call-ins for advice and discussion. Politicians, authors, and celebrities frequently appeared on the show to reach the Chicago audience.

O'Malley noted that both she and Markey had discussed their support for assisted suicide on their program, viewing it as a personal choice that should be available to those who desire it.

After the show concluded its initial 20-year run, Markey and O'Malley revived it as a weekly program for several years before it stopped broadcasting in 2017.

Born in Ohio, Markey moved to Chicago to study journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School. She later lived in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Evanston, Illinois, with her first husband, Tom Markey. The couple lived abroad for seven years, residing in Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam, during which time Markey became fluent in Italian and French. They raised their two children, Erin and Adam, primarily in Wilmette, Illinois.

Markey had a diverse career in journalism beyond her radio work. She was a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and also wrote for The New York Times and Cosmopolitan Magazine, in addition to authoring several books. In the 1990s, she also hosted local Chicago television programs, including the human-interest documentary "Chicago Slices" and the commuter interview show "What the El."

Her journalistic achievements were recognized with induction into Northwestern Medill's Hall of Achievement. She was also named one of Chicago's Most Influential Women by Crain's Chicago Business and one of the Top Talk Show Hosts in the U.S. by Talkers magazine.

Markey married her second husband, Northwestern University professor Tom Collinger, in 2002. The couple shared a second home in Tucson, Arizona, enjoyed traveling, and cared for their dogs.

Markey is survived by her husband, Tom Collinger, her children, stepchildren, and two granddaughters. Tributes from colleagues described her as confident, spunky, and unafraid to express her opinions. O'Malley remembered her as a devoted mother, wife, and friend, with a sharp wit and a keen observation of life.