Judy Elaine (Goldsmith) Voorheis Obituary
Judy Elaine (Goldsmith) Voorheis, of Bartlett, TN, age 74, passed away on December 31, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born and raised in East Oakland, CA, on February 29, 1948, to the late Harold and Ruba (Ohman) Goldsmith. Judy is survived by her husband of 53 years Melvin L. Voorheis and they have seven children: Vincent (Sarah) Voorheis, Melinda Voorheis Stevenson, Elizabeth (Jason) Adams, Jason Voorheis (deceased), Christopher Voorheis (deceased), Amy (Kevin) Bopp, and Jeffrey Voorheis. Her grandchildren are Joshua Wager (deceased), Katylyn Adams, Jeremi Adams, and Esmé Roen Voorheis. Judy is one of four siblings: Robert (Dolores) Goldsmith, Linda (Robert) Coltrin, and Richard (Sharon) Goldsmith.
She attended grade school in Oakland, CA, and graduated High School in 1966. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in French and a minor in Dramatic Arts from Brigham Young University. She studied the French language and spent one college semester abroad in France that she always raved about.
Judy was a voracious reader and enjoyed reading to others. She loved to encourage anyone and everyone to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. She was also a literacy advocate and volunteered to teach others to read. Judy had a beautiful singing voice and was a classical pianist at an early age. Her love of music influenced her children throughout their lifetimes. She was multi-talented, sewing clothes for her children, baby blankets for those in need, and crocheting gifts for everyone. While her most passionate profession was that of wife and mother of seven children, Judy also worked for more than fifteen years as an insurance agent. For the last twenty years of her work life, she was a Child Protective Social worker for Schuyler County, and a Foster Parent finder in Tompkins County before her retirement in 2013.
Judy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, which metastasized in 2011. During her twenty-year battle with cancer, Judy continued to help others cope with the disease as part of a mutual support group that included many hours of counseling and assisting others. She continued crocheting items for others from her easy chair when she was no longer very mobile.
Judy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was faithful to her covenants, always busy in many positions of service and helping others. She even served a church mission from home, helping church members research their family tree. The Memorial service will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 4195 Kirby Whitten Parkway, Bartlett, TN, on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a graveside service in Burdett, NY, in the spring of 2023 (date to be announced). In place of flowers, please make donations to Foster Care Services, per Judy's wishes.
