Judy Ann Scherzer

Boonville- Judy Ann Marie Rizzo Scherzer, lost her life after a heroic battle against leukemia on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at Upstate Medical Center, in Syracuse. She was born in Buffalo, NY, on February 10, 1953. She earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from the State University at Buffalo and an Advanced Certification in School Administration from SUNY College at Cortland. Judy Ann's educational experience included the complete spectrum from pre-school and elementary classes to high school and undergraduate college teaching assignments. As an employee for Adirondack Central School she taught 2nd grade at West Leyden and 1st and 6th grades at Boonville Elementary to be followed by long term assignments in Social Studies and ELA at the High School. Eventually, a special calling found her at the 6th grade Social Studies post in the Adirondack Middle School where the devoted the majority of her years as a teacher. Judy Ann believed in bringing relevant information about the world to her students. She believed in student individuality and produced activities that were effective, interesting and challenging. Her special focus was on technological advances in ancient civilizations. She developed a curriculum that integrated math, ELA, science, art and history through hands on experience like the construction of trebuchets! Professional achievements of which she was especially proud included twice being recognized as an "Outstanding Educator of NYS" in two BOCES districts and having been awarded grants that allowed her to create special programs for students in areas of Career Exploration and Character Development. Judy Ann also procured a distinguished designation for the Adirondack Middle School as a "Lincoln Legacy School" for President Lincoln's Bicentennial Recognition. This was a unique program created by the United States Congress. Judy Ann is survived by a sister Dorothy Rizzo and her husband Ken Schmitt of Skaneateles, New York, a brother Anthony Rizzo and his wife, Mary Jane, and a niece Remy Rizzo of Tonawanda, New York, her soul mate Albert Grenning and his family, Wayne, Tracy, Alex, Bailey and Austin. Her family and closest friends wish to thank everyone who sent the hundreds of cards, letters, notes and encouragement during her protracted illness. Those thoughts of kindness were a sustaining factor in her ability to move through treatment. The family would also like to recognize the physicians and staff at the Roswell Cancer Institute, Upstate Medical Center and Lewis County General Hospital. A celebration of her life and time of remembrance will be held at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, on Wednesday, August 6th from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, her family and friends ask that contributions be made directly to "Smile Train" PO Box 96231 Washington, D.C. 20090-6231.