Sister Judith Smeltz, 75, known in religion as Sr. Margaret Robert, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. on April 28, 2018. Born in Kingston, NY she was the daughter of Robert A. and Margaret M. (Bracken) Smeltz.
Sister Judith entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Syracuse, NY in 1960. She graduated from Simsbury High School, Conn. Sister earned a BA 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.
Sister taught at Our Lady of the Rosary School in Holyoke, Holy Family School in Springfield and St. Mary’s in Milford, Mass. She later worked in the Spanish Apostolate in Holyoke and Springfield. Sr. Judith also did pastoral work at Our Lady of Hope Parish for many years, and served as the 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. Sister also worked at Home Instead Senior Care in Springfield and was a Chaplain-on-Call for the Springfield Police Department. Most recently, Sister Judith volunteered at Mary Mother of Hope Church.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Judith is survived by her sister, Roberta LaRose, her brother, William and his wife JoAnn, six cherished nieces, several grand nephews and a grand niece.
Services for Sr. Judith will take place at Mary Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd, in Springfield on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 am with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 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.