Photo courtesy of Brett Funeral Home - Milwaukee
Apr 22, 1939 - Dec 25, 2025
Judy was a bright spot in the Parkinson's Big and Loud Exercise group. She always had a friendly hello and would ask how you were doing. We will miss her.
Jay and Roxanne Ciatti
January 14, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI | Friend
Elizabeth Price
January 14, 2026 | Shorewood, WI | Friend
Elizabeth Price
January 14, 2026 | Shorewood, WI | Friend
Judy brought humor, heart, and a true commitment to service. She will be remembered fondly. May she rest in peace.
Elizabeth Price
January 14, 2026 | Shorewood, WI | Friend
Judy was the best friend you could ever have. We met at ST. Kilans grade school in the seventh grade, even though I have been living in CA the passed fifty years, I flew back home almost every year and we would go to lunch and catch up on the latest news, every school reunion I went back and we would meet up and go togetherI could go on forever, a truly devoted friend I just loved..my condolences to Joann and family, she’s in heaven and we will connect again someday ✝
Diane Pelletier
January 04, 2026 | Stockton, CA | Friend
my husband, john gianforte, was a distant relative of judy's--first bonding with her as a young boy living in Racine who visited Judy's family during childhood summers in Hartford. The memories of this young boy with his fun older cousins Judy and Joanne, and their parents Lena and Harry Smith, still live on importantly in his life today. In fact, until their final conversations, it was inevitable that John and Judy would laugh together about those summer visits. As adults, both John and I...
carol gianforte
January 01, 2026 | Scottsdale, AZ
Offering our deepest sympathies at this time.
The Staff of Brett Funeral Home
December 31, 2025 | Milwaukee, WI
Judy Smith of Milwaukee passed peacefully on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, and joyfully joined her very best friend, Justine Leonard, her
beloved sister Joanne Smith Hanschman (Ronald), and her cherished parents Lena and Harry Smith, for a heavenly reunion and holiday
celebration. For those who knew and loved Judy, it is easy to imagine the laughter, smiles and open arms that greeted her arrival.
Born on April 22, 1939, in Hartford, Wisconsin, Judy was athletic from a young age. In high school she participated in a wide range of sports and
excelled as a swimmer and swim instructor. She initially enrolled at UW–La Crosse with plans to major in physical education, but her life soon
took a new and more fulfilling direction when she moved to Milwaukee and began what would become a long, successful and much-admired
career in the graphic arts and printing industries.
Judy’s natural warmth and genuine interest in people—paired with her keen eye for art and design—helped her land her first Milwaukee position
at Bercker Studios, where she worked for many years, rising from messenger to sales roles through hard work and an ever-present smile. She
later continued her career at Creative Concepts, ultimately becoming one of the most trusted and respected graphic design—and later printing—
sales consultants in southeastern Wisconsin.
From small boutique agencies to the area’s largest advertising and public relations firms, and from major Milwaukee-based corporations such as
Rexnord, Schlitz, Miller Brewing and Allis-Chalmers to countless smaller businesses, Judy was a well-known and trusted project consultant.
Creative directors, designers and marketing teams valued not only her expertise, but also her kindness, empathy and willingness to help—
qualities that made working with her a pleasure and work friendships enduring.
Alongside her best friend Justine Leonard, with whom she shared a Shorewood duplex for decades, Judy lived a life rich in curiosity, fun and
adventure. Together they were devoted patrons of the arts, attending countless local performances and traveling often to New York City to revel
in the lights of Broadway. They also shared a love of international travel, visiting many countries and—true to both of their outgoing natures—
making new friends nearly everywhere they went.
In addition to her travel and cultural passions, Judy never lost her love of sports. She was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers and the
Milwaukee Brewers. Once she stopped driving, friends knew exactly where to find her on game days—glued to the television, cheering
enthusiastically. Proud of her Italian heritage, Judy was also a passionate cook and an enthusiastic viewer of PBS cooking shows and The Food
Network. Friends delighted in teasing her about her famously strong dislike of mayonnaise, a running joke that culminated in several jars being
gifted to her at a surprise 50th birthday party—a prank she accepted with laughter and good humor.
In retirement, Judy continued to give of herself. She volunteered with the Interfaith Conference/Eastside Senior Services, assisting in the office
and driving seniors to medical appointments—acts of service that reflected her deeply kind, helpful and empathetic heart. She was also an active
member of the Shorewood Senior Center, where her smile and friendliness made everyone feel welcome.
In addition to countless friends near and far and many ‘co-conspirators’ in hijinks and merrymaking she leaves behind—far too many to name (but
you all know who you are)—Judy is survived by her niece Debbie McComb (Jerry), nephew Tom Hanschman (Kim), and her three great-nieces,
Keira, Stephanie, Kylie (Kyle) and great-great-nephew Henry. She continued to make wonderful new friends when she moved to a retirement
apartment at Milwaukee Catholic Home Residence in 2023.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15 at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Milwaukee Catholic
Home Residence, 2464 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211. Interment will be private.
Judy will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, her generosity, her kindness, her empathy and—above all—for the way she made people feel
truly seen, valued and loved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org.
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