The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Judith Frances Bright, certified nurse mid-wife, advanced nurse practitioner, and public health administrator, died on April 3, 2012 from complications related to peritoneal cancer.

She was born in Columbia, SC., on June 12, 1949, to C.O. "Rock" Bright and Frances Crout Bright. She graduated from Columbia's Dreher High School in 1967 and attended the University of South Carolina, obtaining her nursing degree from Charleston Southern University in 1971, a certificate in nurse midwifery from the Medical College of South Carolina in 1975, and later obtained a bachelor of nursing degree at Linfield College, and a master of public administration at Lewis and Clark College, both in Portland.

She moved to Oregon in 1979 and worked briefly at St. Vincent Hospital before going into private practice as a certified nurse midwife in Forest Grove. She later returned to public health with a position at the Washington County Health Department and then as director of the Beaverton Planned Parenthood office. She later became the founding director of Healthy Steps Clinic to provide maternity care to low-income women. After over 10 years, she accepted the position as director of the Wahkiakum County Department of Health and Human Services in Cathlamet. Due to declining health, she retired on January 1, 2012.

She was active in many causes and the Cathlamet Woman's Club named her Citizen of the Year for 2011, citing her professional accomplishments as well as her service as a board member of the Wahkiakum County Search and Rescue and Training Coordinator for the Search and Rescue K9 Unit and, further, as a member of Flotilla 71 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. In recognition of this award from the Cathlamet Woman's Club, President Barack Obama wrote her a personal note saying "I want to congratulate you on this achievement and thank you for your abiding commitment to public service."

She also volunteered as an EMT with the Cathlamet Fire Department and trained her dog Noble in Search and Rescue.

Judy is survived by her husband of 17 years, Dr. John C. Thomas of Cathlamet; brother Dr. C.O. Bright, Jr. of Columbia, S.C .; son The Rev. Chuck Currie of Portland; daughters Jennifer L. Currie and Heather C. Currie Medders both of Hillsboro, Ore. She is also survived by her step-son Charles Thomas of Portland, two nieces and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Wahkiakum County Search and Rescue K9 Unit or the American Cancer Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 14 at 2 p.m. at J.A. Wendt Elementary School in Cathlamet