Judith Converse

Judith Ann Converse, 66, of Hopkinton, passed away on February 1, 2025 at Buffalo General Hospital after a brief illness.

Judy was born on April 10, 1958 in Potsdam, New York, the third of six children born to Mary Abel Converse and C. Robert Converse, Sr. After graduating from Parishville-Hopkinton Central School in 1976, Judy spent a year working at the Tru-Stitch factory in Malone to earn money for college tuition. She attended Canton A.T.C., graduating in 1979 with a degree in accounting. Upon graduation, she became employed at Whalen, Davey, and Looney, Certified Public Accountants, in Massena. In 1991, Judy found her second family when she was hired as office manager at Seaway Timber Harvesting, Inc., forming strong relationships with the owners and company employees. For the rest of her life, she remained a dedicated and faithful member of the team. As the company grew over the years, she grew with it, providing help and direction to everyone. She demonstrated an uncommon work ethic and cared about the company like it was her own. She was dependable and was often called on for input when important decisions had to be made.

Judy spent her whole life in service to others. On October 7, 1976, at the age of 18, she became the first female member of the Hopkinton-Ft. Jackson Fire Department, and was among the first women in St. Lawrence County to serve in this role. She was a committed blood donor and had recently reached the milestone of over 100 life-time donations. She was also an organ donor and encouraged others to give the gift of life. Judy never brought attention to her quiet acts of service to the Hopkinton community, but she could often be seen working outside, uncovering original sidewalks, painting lamp posts, planting flowers or cleaning up the roadside.

With her quick wit, wry sarcasm, keen humor, and snappy answers to stupid questions, Judy often referred to herself as the "unloved middle child" of the family. However, she was actually the most loved of all. She never missed a birthday, dance recital, family reunion, wedding, holiday celebration, or chance to hold a new baby. She was loyal, generous, trustworthy, and put her family above all else. She truly enjoyed spending time with her brothers and sisters, and each of them thought of her as their best friend. She dreamed of retiring someday and thought it would be perfect if her sisters and brother had houses next to hers in Florida. She was a great listener, a fabulous baker, a master of trivia, and a tech wizard who always had to have the latest gadget. She would not back down from a dare and held an unparalleled ability to maintain a streak. Judy appreciated life's simple pleasures and was happiest working in her yard, digging in her garden, driving her side-by-side, watching the squirrels or hummingbirds outside her kitchen window, riding her bike, enjoying a meal at Texas Roadhouse, playing with her mischievous cat, Tiger Lily, and collapsing into her recliner at night, tired from a hard day's work.

Judy's nieces and nephews will always remember her as the cool aunt. She preferred the kids' table at family get-togethers and treated the youngest family members like they were mini-adults. She was always curious about their interests, schooling, and jobs, and encouraged them to dream big and relentlessly pursue their goals. She provided good advice and guidance without ever being judgmental, and she found small ways to stay connected, even as the kids became young adults. Aunt Judy hosted an epic kids-only New Year's Eve party every year. Her only rule was that there were no rules. Games were played, loaded ice cream sundaes and sparkling grape juice were consumed, and very little sleep was had as the kids were packed in like sardines in their sleeping bags, trying to stay up to watch the ball drop. Judy also loved taking her nieces and nephews to the movies, shopping first for the candy of their choice. She could be counted on for midnight trips to the bookstore to get the latest Harry Potter book and had been known to give spontaneous gifts, from funny coffee mugs, to iPads to fancy vacuum cleaners. As our family grew, Judy became the best great-aunt as well, continuing the tradition of sleepovers, rule-breaking, baked treats, and four-wheeler driving lessons.

Though she was an accomplished employee, dedicated community member, and loving sister and aunt, Judy would always say that her greatest achievement was being Jason's mom. Through his college and career, Judy held high expectations for Jason, and she was always there to lend her support and to celebrate his successes. When Kara entered his life, Judy embraced her as a daughter, delighted to share meals, trips and new experiences with them. She loved sharing in their adventures as he and Kara traveled all over the world; enjoyed tracking their progress through many different marathons; and looked forward to their long conversations on Sunday afternoons. In 2021, Judy went to Sicily to witness Jason and Kara's beautiful wedding. She would often say that was the best week of her life.

Judy is survived by her son, Jason Allen Smith and daughter-in-law Kara Nichole Shierly, of Berlin, Germany; her sisters, Dorothy Jean Converse Parker (Steve, Sr.) of Parishville and Joann Marie Converse Chambers (Peter) of Potsdam, and her brother, William Lloyd Converse (Cindy) of Hopkinton. She loved being aunt to her nieces and nephews: Steven Raymond Parker, Jr. (Jennifer Cramer), Kristina Marie Parker Shattuck (Christopher), Robert Joseph Converse (Alexa), Kathryn Olivia Chambers Williams (Wes), Shelby Lynn Converse, Courtney Marie Converse, Michael Mackenzie Chambers (Mumtahena), Jenna Leigh Converse Pearson (Justin), and Megan Rae Converse; and great aunt to her great nieces and great nephews: William Raymond Parker, Brianna Reece Parker, Jaidyn Nicole Trimble, Arianna Rosaly Shattuck, Elliana Marie Converse, Judah Thomas Converse, Luke Norman Williams, Kaylee Mae Pearson, Noah Michael Williams, and Jade Converse. She also leaves behind two aunts, Dorothy van Schooneveld, and Kay Converse, and many beloved cousins.

She was predeceased by her life companion, Bernard A. Smith, who passed away June 23, 2022; her father, C. Robert (Bob) Converse, Sr.; mother, Mary A. Converse; brother C. Robert Converse, Jr.; sister, Mary Jo Converse; and sister-in-law Marie Louise Mancuso Converse.

A Celebration of Life to honor and remember Judy will be held on Saturday, April 12th at the Hopkinton Town Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to The Judith A. Converse Memorial Scholarship Fund, in cooperation with Northern NY Community Foundation, at https://bit.ly/Converse-Scholarship