Judith Westrate

Judith Schramm Westrate died on December 14, 2020 of congestive heart failure at Bryn Mawr Hospital.  She was a resident of Brightview-Devon in Wayne, PA.  She was 81.

She was the beloved wife of Dr. J. Lee Westrate for 34 years.  Judith was preceded in death by her parents John and Loraine Schramm.

During her professional life, she served with church related organization, principally as Director of Special Services in the office as the General Secretary of American Baptist Churches, USA, headquartered in Valley Forge, PA.  Her responsibilities focused on providing administrative support for the various agencies and boards of the denomination.  She assisted in planning for the ABC’s Bicentennial Conventions working closely with local committees in the city designated for the meeting.  This required her to be involved in many of the logistics before, during and after the convention.  After retiring from ABC, she served as Director of Administrative Services for Baptist Children’s Services.

In 1986, she married Dr. J. Lee Westrate, whom she met through his activities with ABC, at the time he concluded his professional life of public service and higher education in Washington, DC.  Over the years, the Westrate’s traveled to Europe, Israel, the Far East and South America.   They enjoyed cruises, lots of sightseeing and the companionship of friends.  Although they were members of Royersford Baptist Church, they commuted to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Presbyterian Church, later becoming members.

Judy was born on April 24, 1939 in Flushing, NY.  When her father became the Executive Director of an Economics Foundation, the family moved to Redding, CT.  In 1956, she graduated from Danbury Connecticut High School.  From 1956-1959, she attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and obtained her B.A. Degree from Ursinus College.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sister Christie Day (Sherwin) of Kennebunk, Maine, sons Robert Waterston (Dr. Beth Brooks) and Gregory Waterston, as well as her former husband.  Additional survivors include Dr. Westrate’s son, Richard, grandchildren Christopher Westrate (Kirstin), Jennifer Weyant (Jacob) and Jeremy Westrate (Nicole), five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Waterston and sister, Linda Bergquist.

Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Maryland, immediately adjacent to Washington, DC.  Due to the pandemic, a Memorial Service will be deferred until current travel and other restrictions are removed.   The service will be held at National Presbyterian Church in D.C.

Contributions in her memory may be made to a Charity of the Donor’s choice or to the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016.  Checks should be made out to NPC, citing the Capital Campaign.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family Wednesday, December 23, 2020 2:00-4:00 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA.   Interment will be private.

Masks are to be worn when visiting the family and social distancing is to be observed.