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Judith Ann Blackwell Burke passed away Dec. 11, 2023, at VNA Hospice Care in Vero Beach, Florida, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Feb. 19, 1938, at the Jersey Shore Hospital, in Jersey Shore, Pa. to Melvin and Helen (Huling) Blackwell. She attended Jersey Shore High School, graduating class of 1956. She was active in High School, cheerleading, clubs, and as class secretary. She was part of the reunion committee helping to put on the class reunions.
She attended Williamsport School of Nursing (on a full scholarship) from September 1956 through Sept. 1959. When she graduated, She got three weeks off in the summer, and she worked at the Jersey Shore Hospital as an intern.
She then began her career in nursing, at a time when women did not normally have careers. After graduation she worked at Williamsport Hospital Surgical Ward. She then moved to Philadelphia with a friend and began nursing at Temple Hospital. She loved Philadelphia so much. She was originally supposed to only be there for nine months but stayed longer.
She came home to Jersey Shore and began working at Jersey Shore Hospital. After a few years there, she was lead nurse at the Leader Nursing home. She moved on to The Williamsport Hospital coronary care unit. Judy was selected to train at Duke University where she learned how to assist Cardiac Catheterizations. She brought her knowledge back to Williamsport Hospital and she helped set up the Cath Lab. This was leading edge technology in the mid 1970's.
She went to work for Dr. Vasudevan at Divine Providence Hospital. There they started up a cardiac unit and a Catherization lab. The only cardiac equipment the hospital had was EKG machines. One of her proudest achievements was setting up the cardiac rehabilitation unit there. At that time, this was something new, and she was very involved in it. She trained how to do echocardiograms and stress tests.
She later went to work for Dr. Vasudevan's office and worked there for 25 years.
Her final stop in her nursing career was VNA community nursing, which she loved. She did that for about ten years, retiring at 75.
Judy had a very active life. She loved hometown sports, especially once her grandsons were involved.
She loved reading, reality TV, and spending time with family. In her later years she divided her time between Jersey Shore and Florida.
Judy had a big heart and was always there with a ready ear. She could be counted on to be there if you needed her. She and her sisters were like teenagers well into their 80s. Sharing stories, talking about politics and TV shows. They operated the "Blackwell News Network".
Judy is survived by her three daughters, Holly (Rick) Thompson, April (Vincent) Hennigan, and Amy (Nicole Menz) Dingler; her five grandsons, Matthew, Nathaniel, Aaron Hennigan, and Richie and Ryan Thompson; three step-children, James Burke, Vickie Beach and Robin Minear. She is also survived by her sister, Sara Bitner, many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; her second husband, James Burke; partner, Lynn Bowes; and her sister, Timi Kaukeinen.
Services will be at a later date to be determined by the family.
If you would like to make a donation in Judy's honor the family suggests the VNA & Hospice Foundation in Vero Beach, Florida. 920 37th Pl #101, Vero Beach Fl. 32960 or www.vntc.com.