Judy Houghton Barth

Judy Houghton Barth passed peacefully after an acute illness on March 29 at age 82. Born in Fineview on Wellesley Island to William and Thelma (Patterson) Houghton, her early life was spent in an idyllic setting: surrounded by punctuated castles and crystal-clear water on the Thousand Islands. She would often fondly reminisce about those Rockwellian days and family lore. Even as an adult, the Islands were a home away from home. Visits would often elicit the question, "Are you a Patterson?" Inevitably, this turned into a question of either how they were related, or how their parents knew one another. These were her roots, and it provided a strong sense of pride and familiarity. Winters were for skating on the frozen river, and fall was for duck hunting of which a single picture exists of her (begrudgingly) holding a duck. Summer and spring were for enjoying the beach and swimming. After her earlier childhood, her family moved to Brownville before moving to Brewerton. She grew up in Brewerton, where she would graduate high school.

Throughout her life she was an avid reader and cinephile. Her favorites authors included Stephen King and J.R.R. Tolkien. In 2001, the annual pilgrimage to see the new Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies began; this would be a yearly ritual in which she would take her grandchildren to see the films around the holidays. Her love for movies also translated to television. Visitors would often find her watching classic movies and shows. Later, this turned into an appreciation for British shows, like Downton Abbey and The Great British Baking Show. Judy was also a wonderous baker, a skill she passed to her daughter Christine, and of which her grandkids were significant beneficiaries. Often this included assorted pies and molasses cookies, as The Great British Baking Show was a continual source of confectionary inspiration. Judy worked as an office manager for Dr. Dougherty's medical practice. Later in life, she was a non-traditional student, obtaining her LPN at age 59 at BOCES. She was an LPN for six years, working at several Central New York retirement homes, before deciding to spend time with her grandchildren. She would often attend her grandchildren's chorus and orchestra concerts, graduations, and military promotions. As she transitioned into retirement, she spent most of her time reading porch side in a tiny garden surrounded by her pets before she moved in with her daughters. Until she was no longer able to travel, she would still visit Wellesley Island each summer to get ice cream, visit the antique store, and recount the stories of what had once been.

Judy had survived her son, Bobby, who unexpectedly passed away in 2023. Judy is survived by her three sisters, her daughters Christine Curinga and Jennifer Winiarczyk-Nalle, several grandchildren, and a great-grandchild Jude who is named after her. Her books will be read, her recipes will be recreated, and she will be missed.

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