Judith Ann Miller Bartlett passed away from surgical complications after an acute illness on November 28, 2020 at age 78.  She was born in Louisville, Kentucky to beloved parents Edna Louise and William John Siewert. She was the beloved wife of the late Oliver James Bartlett for 32 years.

Judy was filled with compassion and love, especially for her children, Bryan Miller and his wife Bernadette of Ashburn, VA, Alisa DeStefano and her husband Joseph of Northborough, MA, and Amanda Miller of Campbell, CA. She found great joy with and had unbounded love for her grandchildren Christopher Miller and his family Wendy, Chase and Jacob, Scott Miller and his wife Sarah, Isabella DeStefano, Mia DeStefano, and Shalene Ockhuizen. She was a loving sister to Peggy Hostettler and her husband James, the late William Siewert and his wife Linda, Lloyd Lee Siewert and his wife Joyce, David Siewert and his wife Karen. She was close to her many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families. Judy was like a second mother to KT Glover and Charles Carter who were a part of her life for over 37 years. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Her formative years were spent on family farms in Louisville, Kentucky and New Washington, Indiana. She reminisced frequently and lovingly about farm life, sharing memories of her family and friends, and always proudly saying she was truly an Indiana farm girl.  Judy attended Indiana University on a full scholarship, majoring in German and minoring in French, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1964.  She was blessed with three children from her first marriage to Robert Miller. She stayed at home with her children when they were young and she treasured that time.  She earned a Master's degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in the mid 1970's and in her own words, she "chose social work to make a difference, to shed light in her corner of the world." She resided in central New Jersey for over 50 years with her family, and she worked as a medical social worker for several years before she became the first director of the Adult Medical Daycare Center at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, NJ. The center was the first of its kind at a hospital in the state of New Jersey and Judy wrote all of the policies and grew the program into a financially successful unit at the hospital.  She served as its director until she retired when the hospital became an emergency-only facility and the center was relocated in 2009.  The center at Muhlenberg Hospital was known for its homelike setting and caring staff, and Judy brought tremendous joy into the center with her vibrant personality, love of music, decorating talents, and professional and personal excellence in supporting her clients and their families. She worked side by side with her staff and helped with every aspect of the care provided to the participants and their families. Many of the people she worked with at Muhlenberg became some of her closest friends. She resided in Potomac Green, Ashburn, Virginia for the last five years of her life, where she made many good friends and felt at home in the community.

The themes of her life were education, promoting social justice, and providing access to medical care for all. She volunteered for several organizations over the years, and helped women and children make health care decisions and find resources with dignity.

Judy had a strong spirit and she loved to talk with family and friends. Her nickname as a child was "Jukebox Judy" and everyone who knew her can understand why. She was most happy when spending time with her immediate and extended family and closest friends.

She was an accomplished quilter and her quilts are in the homes of many friends and family, as well as in health care settings throughout New Jersey. She was also a talented seamstress who created heirloom dresses and christening gowns for her grandchildren that will be passed down through the generations in her remembrance.

She loved all kinds of music including folk, classical, country and 1950's rock and roll. She enjoyed sing-a-longs with her family at Christmas and during long car trips, as well as at the Adult Medical Daycare Center she directed with her staff and participants. Opera touched her soul, and she attended the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for many years.  She passed peacefully with her children by her side listening to her most treasured operatic duets.

Judy was an avid tennis player and she played well into her 70's. She also loved to play scrabble, and in recent years, she made friends all over the world through online scrabble. Judy was an avid reader and loved Jeopardy.

There will be a private ceremony held immediately, and public remembrances of her life are planned for next summer in Indiana and New Jersey, circumstances permitting.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Diabetes Association, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

American Diabetes Association

https://diabetes.org/donate/donate-memorial?s_src=WWP201201LM001M001CC&s_subsrc=google

National Osteoporosis Foundation

https://www.nof.org/support-nof/donate/

National Alliance on Mental Illness

https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Donate-to-NAMI