Smolk, Judith “Judy” Belle Camp, RN, BSN, MSN, 85, of Brandon, FL passed away
May 11, 2024.
Judy was born November 23, 1938 in Corry, PA to Wilbur and Alice (Benedict) Camp.
She graduated from Clymer Central High School as valedictorian in 1956 and with
Honors in Nursing from the University of Buffalo in 1960, where she was tapped for the
Cap and Gown Senior Women’s Honorary Society. She practiced Nursing and Nursing
Education for 60 years in Chautauqua County, NY and Tampa, FL. At age 72, she
earned her Master of Nursing Education at the University of South Florida, completing a
life-long goal.
Judy was one of seven board members who founded Hospice of Hillsborough (now
LifePath Hospice) in Tampa in 1983, serving as Secretary of the Board. She felt
especially fortunate to have been involved in the evolution of hospice care in the United
States. In 1995, she became one of the earliest nationally Certified Hospice Nurses and
maintained that certification for 20 years.
As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, she was involved with the Health
Ministry, senior group (SAGE), Veterans programs, Heifer International, the Alzheimer’s
Walk and numerous other projects. She enjoyed her church friends and working with
her fellow nurses there.
She had a deep intellectual curiosity her entire life. Her interests were music, art and
history. An evening at the Performing Arts Center or a trip to local art museums were
her favorite outings. In 2018, she travelled with her family to Salem, MA to visit the
homestead of Rebecca Nurse, her eight times great aunt. She loved being immersed in
the early New England history in Salem, Boston and Concord, NH. In 2020, she began
studying the life of publisher and politician Horace Greeley, whose parents lived in her
hometown of Clymer, NY. In 2022 Western New York Heritage magazine published an
extensive article, co-written by Judy, on his life and political activity.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Virginia Camp Glavis and Nina
Camp Beckerink, niece Brenda Meeder and nephew Nelson Beckerink. She is survived
by her three daughters, Alisa, Shawn and Gina (Donald), grandchildren Benjamin,
Casey, Patrick and Kathleen. She had many dear nieces and nephews and great nieces
and nephews and was especially grateful for the special bond with her nieces Ramie
Colvin, Sally Beckerink, and Julie Ganske.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, 121 Carver
Avenue, Brandon, FL 33511 on Saturday, June 8th at 2pm. A hometown memorial
service and interment will take place in Clymer, NY at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to: Family Promise of Hillsborough County
www.familypromisefl.org, or The Rebecca Nurse Homestead www.rebeccanurse.org.
In Clymer, donations may be made locally to the Clymer Historical Society or the
Clymer/French Creek Free Library.
