April 30, 2018

OBITUARY: Sister Judith Smeltz, SSJ

REGIONAL

SPRINGFIELD – Sister of St. Joseph Judith Smeltz, 75, known in religion as Sister Margaret Robert, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield on April 28.

Born in Kingston, N.Y., she was the daughter of Robert A. and Margaret M. (Bracken) Smeltz. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Syracuse, N.Y., in 1960. She graduated from Simsbury High School in Connecticut.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an advanced certificate of study in pastoral counseling from Emmanuel College, Boston, and a certificate in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

She taught at the former Our Lady of the Rosary School in Holyoke, the former Holy Family School in Springfield, and St. Mary School in Milford, Mass. She later worked in the Spanish Apostolate in Holyoke and Springfield.

She also did pastoral work at the former Our Lady of Hope Parish in Springfield for many years and served as director of the Diocesan Renew Program, director of Jericho Homes in Holyoke, and director of the Office of Pastoral Ministry for the Diocese of Springfield. She also worked at Home Instead Senior Care in Springfield and was a chaplain-on-call for the Springfield Police Department. Most recently, she volunteered at Mary Mother of Hope Church.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her sister, Roberta LaRose; her brother, William, and his wife, JoAnn; six nieces, several grandnephews and a grandniece.

Services will take place at Mary Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd, in Springfield, on Wednesday, May 2. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a prayer service at 10 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.