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Judy Ann Ochs, Breast Cancer Survivor & Health Advocate, Dies at 80

After surviving stage four breast cancer for 15 years, Judy Ann Ochs dedicated her life to helping others. Her impact on health services and cancer support will be remembered.

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Judy Ann Ochs, Breast Cancer Survivor & Health Advocate, Dies at 80

Judy Ann Ochs, a remarkable woman who overcame stage four breast cancer and dedicated her life to improving health services, has passed away at the age of 80. She was surrounded by loved ones at Penn State Lancaster Medical Center on September 24, 2025.

Ochs was a thirty-three-year cancer survivor, including fifteen years following her stage four diagnosis. She was a beacon of hope for many, co-facilitating an annual retreat for stage four survivors and their caregivers at Johns Hopkins. Her resilience inspired her to give back to her community.

A retired director from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Ochs served in various roles over her twenty-year career, including Director of the Division of Health Risk Reduction and Director of the Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. She continued her impact as the Director of Development for Cardiac Consultants in Lancaster and founded Cardio Data Tech, a cardiac monitoring service.

Ochs' commitment to health and wellness extended beyond her professional life. She served on the board of the American Heart Association and volunteered with the American Cancer Society. Locally, she co-founded the Lancaster Breast Cancer Network and was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. In her final act of generosity, she donated to the Erlangen University Hospital’s Women's Clinic in early October 2025 to support continued breast cancer research.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 11, 2025, at a private residence at 340 Frysville Road, Hellam, PA 17406. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Quality of Life Research Fund in memory of Judy Ann Ochs. Ochs was the daughter of the late Clyde L. and Ruth E. Groff and had two daughters, Holly Ochs and Heather Boxleitner. Her legacy of strength, resilience, and dedication to improving lives will continue to inspire those who knew her.

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