I have been a Registered Nurse for about 30 years.  My area of practice was primarily psychiatric nursing.  I spent most of my time at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse and continued to take college courses.  I ended up with a BS in psychology and did graduate work in experimental psych.  I was the program director of the day treatment program for severely mentally ill patients at St. Joe's for several years and later  was the inpatient and emergency services nurse manager. I also worked at the Cortland Hospital as clinical coordinator of the psych services.  I was always very touched by the plight of the chronically mentally ill, and found my work very rewarding. I am now retired.

In 1978, after being a single mother of 2 boys ( Jerry and Scott) for a few years, I married John Durkee from Homer.  John was a junior high teacher. He was an intelligent, compassionate, and delightful person.  He was a great friend to my sons and they both loved him.  We had 20 very happy years together before he died in 1998. I feel very grateful to have been in his life. (He liked me a lot too.)

After John died, my oldest boy (Jerry) wanted me to move to Fairport ( a suburb of Rochester) to be near his family.  He was worried that I would be very lonely without John. He was right.  I bought a condo 3 blocks from their house. 

 Jerry and Clare have 2 girls, Cait and Emily.  Jerry travels much of the time and Clare works full time - as a result I try to be available to them when they need me.  Being their grandma has been one of the highlights of my life.  Cait is now almost 17 and Em is almost 13.  I've been here since 1998 so I have been actively involved in their lives.  I am the "taxi" grandma.  Anybody needs a ride I'm the one to call. They spend a lot of time with me and just walk up when they want to spend time here.  One of the bedrooms in my house belongs to them and they know they are always welcome.  I still miss John but have made the best life I could without him.  

Scott lives in East Aurora and has one daughter.  It's fun to be around these girls after raising boys.

My hobbies are knitting, cooking (I love the old Italian recipes), reading, and Court TV.  I love a trial - I may be a lawyer in my next life.

......Judy Compagni Durkee