Judith Anne Teresa Smith Korman

Greenwich, NY: Judith Anne Smith Korman of Greenwich, NY, passed on November 23, 2025 in the loving care of her husband and daughter.

Born November 2, 1940, the year following the release of the popular movie The Wiz-ard Oz (1939), her parents affectionately name her Judy, after Judy Garland, the ac-tress who played Dorothy. The daughter of Edwin A. Smith and Evelyn J. Hutchins, Judy grew up in Port Leyden, NY during the “fabulous 50’s”; a bustling village full of restaurants, movie theaters, churches, Mom & Pop stores, a school, and hotel.

Active in many school activities, Judy was a cheerleader, played slide trombone in the band, and sang in the choir at St. Martin’s Church. Her life long best friend from school days was the late Mary (Donnelly) Arrigo, also of Port Leyden. Judy graduated from Port Leyden Central School in 1958 and later attended Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, NY.

Also occurring in 1958, across the globe, Judy’s brother Bill Smith, an enlisted Navy man stationed in Japan, met fellow Port Leyden classmate and Marine Sargent Bill Korman on a street corner in Yokohama, Japan. Having nearly fulfilled his active duty, Bill K. mentioned he was soon heading back to the states. Honoring Bill Smith’s re-quest, a few months later Bill K. stopped by the Smith residence to say hello. It was dur-ing this visit he met Judy. The rest is history. They married on February 7, 1959 and started a family. Daughter Jacki was born on December 1, 1959 and son Billy was born on February 13, 1961.

After moving several times with Bill’s job, including to Long Island and Dayton, Ohio, Judy and Bill settled in the Capital District and spent nearly 50 years in their home in Ballston Spa. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, a position she truly loved, she also worked as a secretary for Quality Control at the United States Army Watervliet Ar-senal for several years in the 1980s and 90s. Judy was extremely active in her church, St. Mary’s in Ballston Spa, where she sang in the choir and served as Eucharistic min-ister, including for the homebound. She was a volunteer at Still Point House of Prayer and participated in many spiritual retreats throughout the years, including Marriage Encounter and Cursillo. She was a member of Red Hat Society, TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), Dorothy Welsh Choral Society, and participated in aerobics (includ-ing as an instructor) well into her 50s. She and Bill loved to ride bikes and covered many miles in the Saratoga Battlefield and the bike trail between Glens Falls and Lake George. Bill and Judy also travelled the United States and abroad to the former Yugo-slavia, Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Israel.

A second generation Yankee fan, Judy and family made several trips to the Bronx to watch their team play in “The House that Ruth Built” (old Yankee Stadium), mostly dur-ing the 90s and early 2000s. When the Yankees won a game at home, Judy got to hear her favorite singer in the entire world, Frank Sinatra, sing “New York, New York”; a tra-dition that continues today. For nearly seventy years, Frank’s singing brought joy and happiness to one of his most enthusiastic fans.

A family favorite activity, usually following a birthday or holiday celebration, was play-ing pitch, a card game that has been an integral part of extended family life since Bill & Judy were younger. Their favorite card players of the past were Eddie & Evelyn, Bob & Jean, Vivian & Harry, John & Gloria, and Kathy & Cleve; all in good fun, except for the occasional accusations of cheating by the women.

A few silly “mom memories” Jacki recalls is when she and Billy were younger and liv-ing in Ballston Spa. They would be playing downstairs, when suddenly they would hear a loud horn. Much to their delight, they would run upstairs, where Judy - taking a break from dusting or ironing - had decided to take out her trombone and drop the slide down and up, very loudly! On another occasion, Jacki and Billy were the ones upstairs when they decided it might be fun to tape Judy on their recorder. So they started to “pretend argue” with one another (with the tape recorder on, of course), waiting for Ju-dy to start reprimanding them, which she did. She wasn’t thrilled to hear she had been recorded, but Jacki and Billy thought it was hysterical and played the recording repeat-edly.

In 2016, Bill and Judy moved to Greenwich, where Jacki and Kevin, zero energy build-ers, had recently completed their age-in-place retirement home. For the past 9 years, Judy has enjoyed watching the birds from their porch, riding on the glider, or spending time on the swing in their backyard. A favorite activity has been exploring Washington County and nearby Vermont by “going for a ride.” Favorite places included the Weston Priory for peace and quiet, and the Battenkill Creamery for homemade ice cream!

A special thank you to the nurses and staff at High Peaks Hospice, especially Judy’s nurse, Meghan. You are the very best! A great big hug to Rebecca at Infinity Counsel-ing; your friendship, love and guidance continues to be a blessing. And a huge thank you to dear friend Carl Trainor - for his love, kindness and lasting friendship.

Judy is survived by her husband Bill, her loving partner during their 66 years of mar-riage, her daughter Jacki Chamberlain (Kevin), and grandchildren Kate Chamberlain and Josh Chamberlain (Katie.) She is predeceased by her only son Billy (March 17, 2003), her brother Bill (January 26, 2024), and her parents Eddie (September 19, 1985) and Evelyn (December 1, 1999.) See ya later alligator . . . after a while crocodile.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 12:00 noon at St. Martin’s Church in Port Leyden, where the Rev. Daniel L. Chapin and Deacon James Chaufty will preside. Interment will be at a later date at the Saratoga Na-tional Cemetery. Calling hours will be 10:00-11:00 AM at Trainor Funeral Home in Boonville prior to the mass. Memorial contributions may be made to High Peaks Hos-pice, 1247 Dix Ave, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.