In Memory of Judith “Judy” M. Smith-Valley (January 27, 1943 – November 16, 2021)

Rev. Dr. Judith “Judy” M. Smith-Valley, who died on November 16, 2021, at the age of 78.

Judy was born on January 27, 1943, in Cleveland, OH to Raymond F. and Imogene (Bryan) James. She attended North Royalton High School, OH graduating in 1960. After graduation, Judy worked as a bookkeeper at SOHIO (Standard Oil of Ohio). She married Terry E. Valley in 1963 and settled in Lakewood, OH; they had three children together. Terry introduced her to the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, Rocky River, OH. Judy started working at the West Shore congregation as a young widow and a mother of three after her husband died of a massive heart attack. She worked in the Religious Education (RE) Department and undertook various grief support roles in the community. Her work within the denomination and in the community started expanding.

In 1982, twenty-one years after graduating from high school, Judy received her Bachelor of Arts from Thomas Edison State College, NJ. She then married Paul Smith (1983); this was when the Smith-Valley family was formed. Judy and Paul moved to Melrose, MA. Judy continued her work in various churches while pursuing her Master of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 1988.

Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley was ordained to the Unitarian Universalism ministry on April 9, 1989. From 1988 to 1993, she served as an extension minister at the UU Fellowship of Kanawha Valley, Charleston, WV. Her ministry at the Kanawha Fellowship accomplished a good deal: purchasing property, fulfilling a capital campaign, and considerable growth in the congregation and the RE programs. In 1993, Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley accepted a call from the First Parish UU Church, Kennebunk, ME where she would serve until 2001. At the Kennebunk congregation, a good deal was also achieved: restoration of the building, membership increase, and another capital campaign fulfillment. She took an activist and leadership role in educating and motivating the congregation about the importance of defeating the anti-gay/lesbian referendum. She also introduced the Maine Speakout Project for Equal Rights (a program that taught people to effectively conduct anti-gay discrimination dialogues and equal rights). In 2001, she earned her Doctor of Ministry from Bangor Theological Seminary, ME.

Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley was a District Executive for the UUA’s Northeast District from 2003 to 2006. After that, she continued her ministerial services as an interim minister. She ministered as an interim at the UU Church of Haverhill, MA (2006-2008). She helped the church move ahead after a difficult parting with their previous minister. Engaging her skills, the right relations work advanced, an appreciative inquiry lens was utilized, and the leadership was reformed and energized. At the First Parish Brewster UU, MA (2008-2010), Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley conducted the right relationship work with a large group of lay leaders and created an atmosphere in which change was welcomed. The social justice program during her leadership contributed to ongoing initiatives which included local and international efforts, support for Native Americans, the NAACP, and anti- racism work. Her ministry brought changes positive and good for the collective future.

Subsequently, Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley ministered at the Keene UU Church, NH (2010-2012); and then at the UU Church of Greater Lynn; Swampscott, MA (2012-2013). At the Swampscott congregation, she initiated the groundwork for the Staff and Board covenants of behavior. The congregation made progress on understanding the vision/goals process. At the UU Congregation of South County, Peace Dale, RI (2013-2014), she encouraged the trust of the lay leadership and the clergy at the South County Congregation.

Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley was an interim minister to the Starr King UU Fellowship, Plymouth, NH (2014-2016). There too, she re-energized the fellowship with her leadership. She retired on July 31, 2014.

Rev. Dr. Smith-Valley brought a wealth of experience to the congregations she served. As an interim minister, she accompanied the congregation during their transitions and helped define who the congregation wanted to be. Her sermons preached the importance of dialogue and speaking from the heart. Her worship services blended the music, words, and space to offer a spiritual flow within a familiar structure. Her ministry emphasized the importance of including children in worship.

In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, stitching, creating, and meditation. She liked reading and being by the ocean.

Her daughter Sue shared, “Each life is like a quilt rested by a patchwork of memories stitched together by the threads of time and love. My parents were very involved with “25 Beacon St” for many years and had many memories stemming from that, and lifelong friendships as well.”

Judy is survived by her children: son, Glenn Valley and his wife Heidi, of Bahama, NC; daughter, Libby Valley Cirillo and her husband Tony, of North Kingstown, RI; daughter, Susan Woodilla and her husband, Tad of Hermon, ME; son, Richard Smith and his wife, Barbara Dill of Norwood, NJ; grandchildren – Laura (Jon) Conway, Alison Valley, Amanda, Connor, Matthew, and Trevor Cirillo, Katie and Emily Woodilla, Dillon, Chelsea, and Aiden Smith; and great-granddaughter Jackie; sister, Charlea Coterel of O’Fallon, Missouri; plus many nieces, nephews, friends and family who filled her heart with joy. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands, Terry Valley (1978) and Paul Smith-Valley (2017).

A celebration of life took place on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the First Parish UU Church, 114 Main Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 689 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 or to Project Linus.

Notes of condolences can be written here. Cards can be sent to all her children in the care of Susan Woodilla, 29 Hermon Heights, Hermon, ME 04401.