Marlborough – Judith S. (Jackson) Bateman, 71, died Jan. 5, 2019 at her home after a brief but courageous battle with bile duct cancer.
Judy was born in Newark, NJ, raised in Highland Park, N.J., the daughter of the late Edward and Miriam (Grosser) Jackson. She celebrated her Jersey roots until the end as a discerning connoisseur of kosher pickles, fresh bagels and greasy thin pizza.
Judy attended nursing school in New York City and went on to have a 50-year career serving patients in several capacities in the medical field, from medical coding to office management at area hospitals and private practices. She also owned an antique store with her mother-in-law, Anita, where it was often rumored they owned it just as a cover to satiate their unquenchable addiction to tchotchkes.
Judy was an active and well liked member of Crane Meadow, where she enjoyed Mahjong and Bocce, making it to the Bocce finals this past spring. She loved a good book, shopping adventures, puzzles, antiquing and travel. She was a consummate optimist, laughed in the face of many adversities and had a flair for art and design.
Judy loved music and attended numerous concerts throughout her life, including over 20 Billy Joel concerts. A dotting grandmother to her grandsons, her greatest pride in her life was her children and grandchildren. She was kind, compassionate and would do whatever she could to help those in need and she volunteered in many organizations and was a true cheerleader to causes she believed in.
She leaves a son, Jason Bateman and his wife Nicole of San Clemente, Calif.; a daughter, Melissa Bateman Fitzgerald and her husband John of Southborough; a brother, Stanley Jackson of Walnut Creek, Calif.; two grandsons, Alistair and Cormac Fitzgerald of Southborough; her former husband, Bruce Bateman of Greenwood, Del.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Judy’s Life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 12 p.m., in the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough. There are no calling hours, however Shiva will be observed at the home of Melissa and John Fitzgerald immediately following the service where her life will be celebrated well into the evening.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to www.CholangioCarcinoma.org to help find a cure for this aggressive and lethal cancer.
