Judith Ann (Clark) Esch, 90, of Niskayuna, NY passed away peacefully with family and friends by her side on March 27, 2025 at her Mount Pleasant Home in Jamaica Plain, MA.

Judy was born the second of three children to William Clark and Helena Cleland of Malone, NY on July 29, 1934. Her accomplished music career began at age seven when her father was teaching her older brother piano and Judy proclaimed,  “I want to play too!” She graduated from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music in 1956 with a Bachelor of Music degree (nicknamed the “Bull Manure” degree by the music students), and achieved her Masters in Music (“More Manure") degree from the University of Illinois in 1957. Judy was especially proud of receiving a Performer’s Certificate during her time at Eastman, which made her eligible to perform as a soloist with the school’s orchestra. 

As family lore goes, Judy’s parents encouraged her to focus on her musical gift and interests to the omission of many life skills. When one of her children complained “Mom doesn’t even know how to screw in a lightbulb” Judy’s own mother retorted, “I did NOT raise my daughter to screw in lightbulbs!” (Mission accomplished). Judy left Illinois to return home to Utica, NY for a music history and theory teaching position she was offered at the Utica Free Academy High School. Perhaps to inspire her to live with someone other than her parents, Judy's mother brought home GE coworker Jim Esch under the guise of sharing his experience at Hamilton College with her younger brother. Judy wooed him with the first — and last — home-cooked meal she would ever make. 

Jim and Judy were married at Fort Wadsworth on July 11, 1959. Their first child, Mark James, was born on July 27, 1960. He had dark curly hair like his mother’s and a face like his father’s. Tragically, baby Mark died 17 days later, a result of a staph infection contracted at his birth hospital. As a result, the addition on December 11, 1962 of Judy and Jim’s second child, Rebecca Ann, was a very welcome event. The birth of their daughter Rachel Lee, born on February 11, 1973, was a very unexpected event, with credit going to the baby-making tips her older sister gleaned at a slumber party and then helpfully shared with her parents. 

Other than a three year stint in Louisville, KY, Judy raised her family and worked as a musician in Schenectady county for nearly 50 years. She taught private lessons at home, the Emma Willard School, Schenectady County Community College, and Indiana University Southeast; accompanied myriad students in competitions and recitals; performed with local musicians and the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra; and was an active member of The Etude Club. Judy was especially adored by her adult students who demonstrated their appreciation for her quiet wit and unflagging patience with thoughtful gifts and music outings, and also by staying in touch even when no longer taking lessons. 

When she was not busy being a professional pianist (if not being a Domestic Goddess), Judy dedicated her time and attention to her two daughters. She was always present before and after school, shepherded them to activities, and made fudge and stayed up late talking during the throes of adolescence and early adulthood. At the end of her life Judy lived for six years in Roanoke, VA near her eldest daughter, and for five years in Boston near her youngest daughter. She never ceased teaching piano, impressively negotiating FaceTime during Covid to work with her local grandson, and an adult student-turned-friend from Virginia. 

Judy was an avid nonfiction reader, especially biographies. She had a pragmatic and easygoing temperament, a sharp intellect, an uncanny recall that made her Trivia Queen of her elder center, and a delightful sense of humor (as evidenced by this Judy-approved obituary) that expressed itself in her signature giggle. Judy was fond of writing epistles to friends and families to mark significant life events. Some of her quotable words of wisdom include: “Keep striving. When you’re motivated to do something, life becomes more interesting.”

Judy was predeceased by her husband James Leo Esch, son Mark James Esch, older brother William Frederick Clark, younger brother Cleland Thomas Clark, and son-in-law Warren Bickel. Judy is survived by daughter Rebecca Esch of Buckfield, ME; daughter Rachel Esch and husband David Bremser of Jamaica Plain, MA; four grandchildren including Layla Esch Bickel and partner Gavin Cranmer, of Brooklyn, NY; Corena Pirrello and husband Mario Pirello and their son of Blue Ridge, VA; Keefer Bickel and wife Rebecca Stewart-Owen and their 3 sons of Hudson, MA; and Asher Bremser of Jamaica Plain, MA; sisters-in-law Dorothy Clark and Stephanie Richardson; and niece and nephew Jennifer McManus and Patrick Clark. 

For their empathy, expertise and unflagging support the family would like to thank the entire staff of the amazing Mount Pleasant Home and friend Howard Block for recommending; Dr. Kim Bowman and nurse practitioner Nikita Hanley of the BILH Extended Care Community Program; specialists Dr. Erin DeRose, nurse practitioner Erin MacNeill, Dr. Preen Mota, Dr. Shanti Serdy and Dr. Edward Grandin; the BILH At Home Hospice team; the Friendly Care Services team; and the Mann Rodgers Funeral Home. 

Memorial service is private and interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, NY. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Judy’s honor to Mount Pleasant Home (send check to 301 S. Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130), to the Eastman School of Music, or to your local music organization.

 

ARRANGEMENTS BY MANN & RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, JAMAICA PLAIN, MA