News

By Steven J. Smith

    HIGHLAND BEACH — Teaching, mentoring and placing students into the workforce were the central missions of Judith Bartlewski’s life and truly defined her, said Paul Bartlewski, her husband of 43 years.
    “Judi had such a passion and such a way with her kids, it was amazing,” he said. “She was so devoted to them and I know she changed all of their lives for the better.”
    Mrs. Bartlewski’s health began to decline in recent years as she developed heart and mobility problems. She died Jan. 17 at the age of 72.
    Born in Lowell, Mass., in 1943, Mrs. Bartlewski grew up in Westford and graduated with honors from Elms College in Chicopee, Mass., with a B.A. in history. She earned her master’s in education from Rivier College in New Hampshire.
    “Judi was a teacher in Chelmsford, Mass., and met me in 1971 on a blind date,” her husband said. “We were married not long after. Even though she had an impressive education résumé — with a master’s degree and a job as a counselor in the Chelmsford school system — she followed me into the Connecticut school system. That’s just how it was back then. The wife went where the husband did.”
    She started out as a career counselor at Bloomfield High School in Connecticut but soon became pregnant with the couple’s son, Paul. When he was born in 1973, Mrs. Bartlewski stayed home with him until he reached school age. Then, after several years as a substitute teacher, her career took a dramatic turn in the early 1980s.
    “Judi became a career counselor of the New Britain High School World of Work Program in Connecticut, where she found a job for every student in that program,” her husband said. “I’m talking about at-risk students, who were not focused on education. She went from business to business and knocked on so many doors to get these kids very good jobs in construction companies, banks, you name it.”
    When funding for that program ran out, Mrs. Bartlewski started a new program focused on ninth-graders who were potential dropouts. When that program ran its course, the school once again saw its dropout rate rise. So Mrs. Bartlewski created the New Britain Diploma Program — from scratch.
    “It was a great success,” her husband said. “In fact, that program is still going.”
    Mrs. Bartlewski also was a gifted interior decorator, he said.
    On their 25th anniversary, the couple decided to spend their golden years in Biddeford Pool, Maine, and Highland Beach; after she retired in 2009 they moved to Highland Beach permanently in 2011.
    “I’ll most remember her for her smile, her passion, her humor,” her husband said. “She was so well-rounded and such a hard worker. She had great passion for what she did in life, and she loved her job. That’s rare.”
    Mrs. Bartlewski’s funeral was Jan. 29 in New Britain, Conn. She is survived by her husband and her son. Share memories at www.ericksonhansen.com.