Judith Banham dead at age 49.

A Who's Who of New York City's real estate industry packed St Patrick's Cathedral last week for the funeral of Judith Banham, senior managing director at the Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.

Banham died suddenly at her home in Manhattan on June 11. She was 49 years old.

"We were like a family," said Louise Sunshine, the long-time friend and colleague Banham helped to build one of the most successful real estate marketing firms in the country.

"Judy knitted that family together and she kept it together. Her loss will be a deep personal loss to us, but it will also be felt by the many developers with whom she worked and who had a deep and abiding respect for Judy."

Developer Donald Trump said, "Judy worked on several of my projects and was not only a sold professional, but she was a truly terrific person."

Steven Roth, chairman and CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, added, "Judy was strong, she was always the voice of reason and she knew her markets with precision. Her passing is a great shock and she will be sorely missed."

And designer, Izak Senbahar, said, "Judy was a brilliant professional with an unreal photographic memory for layouts. She was gracious, professional and funny all at the same time. We will gravely miss Judy's presence in our weekly meetings."

During Banham's 16 years with The Sunshine Group, she brought dozens of properties to market, representing nearly $7 billion in sales.

Some of the developments included 110 Central Park South, ThreeTen East Fifty Third Street, Arcadia, One Central Park at Time Warner Center, One Beacon Court, The Grand Beekman, Trump International Hotel & Tower and Trump Place.

She was in charge of pre-development planning and the marketing and sales programs for New York properties, a role in which she reveled, according to her colleagues.

"Judy was extra-ordinarily skilled at pre-development planning, extremely knowledgable about the market and adept at handling people," said Sunshine, who commented that her own often abrupt nature was perfectly offset by Banham's personality. "Judy always had time for everyone. She was the den mother."

Kelly Kennedy Mack, president of the Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, described her colleague as "an exceptional talent and true leader in the industry."

"Judy significantly impacted the manner in which real estate is marketed today and she also served as a mentor to many of the rising stars in our company. Professionally and personally, Judy will be greatly missed."

They were thoughts echoed by Sunshine sales director, Barbara Russo, who said, "Judy's compassion and support, her positive energy and her strength touched my life both personally and professionally. Judy had a unique ability to quietly and eloquently present ideas and sway positions to generate consensus. Her passion, light touch and laughter will always be with those who knew her."

Prior to joining the Sunshine Group, Banham worked with The Glick Organization, rising to the position of vice president. Jeffrey Glick was among the many mourners at the funeral mass.

A graduate of St. John's University in New York, Banham was raised in Floral Park by her parents, the late Lorraine and Barry Bailey.

She is survived by sisters, Mary Ballard and Jeanne Aller and brother, Michael Bailey, and also by Vanessa Howe, Billy Howe and grandchildren Olivia and Jarrod.