VerPlank, Judith Ann

  Judie left us on Saturday, February 4^th after a struggle with congestive heart failure. She was her spunky self and kept the staff of Rochester General and Crest Manor on their toes up until her final days. 

  She led a full and adventurous life for over 80 years, traveling the world and following her curious heart wherever it may lead. She touched all those she met by taking the time to get to know them and genuinely listening to their stories. She was a loving mother, wife, life partner and friend. She is survived by her two daughters Amy (Garlipp) Kruger and Jill (Garlipp) Bowden, as well as her grandchildren Andrew Kruger, Daniel Kruger, and Miss Bowden. 

 Those who knew Judie know that she enjoyed the outdoors. She climbed Mount Marcy, skied in Austria, canoed the chain of lakes in the Adirondacks, and bicycled across Holland to name a few. She traveled to places like Greece, Portugal, Italy, Costa Rica, Ireland, South America, Switzerland, and Tunisia and many more. 

  Judie’s story began in Bayshore, Long Island where she grew up. After high school, she attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY where she completed her degree in Nursing. At Hartwick she met Thomas Garlipp with whom she married and had two daughters. She raised her family and set her roots in Marion, NY. She was active in her community including the United Church of Marion, a Girl-Scout leader, and the school nurse for a time at both the elementary and the high school. During this time, she was a Registered Nurse at Newark Wayne Community Hospital. She brought life, support and love to not only her patients but her co-workers who to this day speak of how compassionate, loving, and thoughtful she was. They also admired her leadership and organizational skills all along being funny and making people’s day brighter.

   Her favorite home was in Pultneyville, NY on Hamilton Street. This is where she was able to express and nurture her hobbies, gardening and antiquing. The grounds were large enough for her to fill her days cultivating the most beautiful gardens. Her neighbors will likely still be talking about her being out there night and day digging, pruning, and planting. A visit with Judie typically included a garden tour and a plant to go… The house was where she staged and curated her special finds from all over Wayne County’s antique and estate sales. Her home was not only welcoming and charming but a history lesson in all things past. She volunteered at the Pultneyville Historical Society, the Williamson Library and marched in the Pultneyville Homecoming parade whenever possible. 

   Judie’s past six years were spent in Webster, NY where she resided in a patio home and continued her gardening and spending time with her daughters and grandchildren. She was active and happy always touching those who knew her. 

   Her family is holding onto the memories and taking time to revisit those special moments. Judie was not a fan of funerals.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday September 3rd at 2pm. Location: B. Forman’s Park, Pultneyville NY (at the White House) please bring a lawn chair and a memory to share.

Judie was loved by many and will be missed by more.