Judy Newman

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Judy Newman announces her passing on June 9, 2022 at the age of 72. She is survived by her loving devoted life partner Steve Sullivan, daughter Keelan, son Fintan, sisters Patricia (Rex) and Liz (Jaime); brother Robert or Bo (Karen), nephew James and niece Laurel.

Judy grew up in the Humboldt area, received her BA degree from Humboldt State College on June 11, 1971. A car accident that left Judy on crutches with a broken femur did not deter her from taking her nursing board exam. She passed her nursing board exam to become a registered nurse, worked in the rural community of Humboldt, then followed her dream to live in San Francisco. 

It was in San Francisco that Judy met Steve, the love of her life of 40 years. In the late 1970’s Judy worked as a hospital nurse, and cared for dying young men suffering from an unknown disease which became known as AIDS. As the 1980’s AIDs crisis hit San Francisco, Judy was one of many unsung heroes in healthcare that passionately cared for AIDS patients. Judy’s career expanded beyond the bedside to include several leadership positions in operations and administration at both St. Francis and St. Luke’s hospitals. Judy enjoyed being rooted in her San Francisco neighborhood, giving back to a community where she could walk to work.  Judy’s expanded duties took another important path to include areas of Quality, Risk and Patient Safety.

In late 2007, Judy spent the next eight years as a Healthcare Consultant at AIG until retirement in 2015. 

She excelled in anything she did, conducted onsite risk assessments for clients, delivered patient safety presentations and provided ongoing risk advice. Her experience in both rural and large hospitals meant she could help a wide range of healthcare staff in multiple states. Her connection to rural healthcare with challenges of limited resources was especially valuable in connecting to clients since they shared a strong mission of giving back to their community.  Of note, Judy’s clients in remote parts of Oregon and Hawai’i were able to benefit from her rural hospital experience. The full circle career path of starting in a rural community, then working in large complex hospitals, and returning to help rural healthcare clients, was most gratifying to her. Judy was well-loved by clients and colleagues, always collaborative and willing to share her knowledge.  She was a truly giving person, humble with understatements of her successes.

Out of all Judy’s many accomplishments, she was most proud of her children Keelan and Fintan.  The family enjoyed activities together such as baseball games, camping and traveling, completing trips to 32 national parks. Also, Judy’s love of everything San Francisco was known to all, with a particular passion for the San Francisco Giants. Judy will be missed but never forgotten.

A memorial service will be held for Judy on Friday, July 8, 4-6:30 pm at 3434 17th St., the Duggan Welch Family Funeral Home with a reception to follow.

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