Judy Mae Smolinski Jackson

Judy Mae Smolinski Jackson, 79, of Erie, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 20th, 2025, at her residence.

She was born on August 11, 1945, in Erie, a daughter of the late Joseph D. and Frances Freda Fobes Smolinski.

Judy attended McDowell High School and continued her education in nursing at St. Vincent. She worked for many years as an R.N. in several locations including Erie, Boston, Germany, and Maryland before returning to Erie. While working in Boston she returned to Erie to attend a high school reunion when she became reacquainted with one of her former high school classmates Lee Jackson. They were soon married and spent 27 wonderful years together where they enjoyed traveling to Utah to visit their family and annual trips to St. Martin Island. In later years they enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Erie until Lee’s passing in 2017.

Judy had a green thumb and loved spending time outdoors decorating her home exteriors with beautiful flower gardens and pristine landscaping. She was a very talented artist, seamstress, and had great cooking skills which were enjoyed by all who knew her. Judy enjoyed time with family and friends and was unbeatable at Trivia. She was very organized and could be found at the breakfast table putting together a ‘to-do’ list for the day. Judy was always thinking of others. She spent many years volunteering at the Highmark Caring Place and especially loved helping the children. To know her was to love her.

In addition to her husband Lee and her parents, she is also preceded in death by a brother Charles Smolinski and brothers-in-law Richard Byrd, and Gary R. Jackson; sister-in-law Elizabeth Jackson; along with her beloved dogs, Buddy, Dottie, and Bessie.

Judy is survived by her stepchildren, Marc Jackson (Heather) of Ogden, UT, Heather Thompson (Mark) of Providence, UT; three brothers, Thomas J. Smolinski (Alice), of Villages, FL, John F. Smolinski (Mary), of Littleton, CO, Chester S. Smolinski (Susan), of Fremont, CA; sister, Mary Ann Crock (Jack), of Blue Ridge, VA; brothers-in-law William T. Jackson, of Medina, NY, Dr. Donald P. Jackson (Sharon), of San Diego, CA, Dr. Thomas A. Jackson (Cheri), of Ft. Myers, FL; three sisters-in-law, Karen Byrd, Patricia M. Lucente, and Judy Jackson all of Millcreek, along with 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to call at Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc., West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie on Tuesday, April 29th from 2 PM until the time of memorial service there at 4 PM. Private burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Highmark Caring Place 510 Cranberry Street, Building 2 Erie, PA 16507.