Prominent North Hills Cardiologist Dr. Judith E. Orie Dies

Dr. Judith E. Orie, a distinguished cardiologist with the West Penn Allegheny Health System and member of the prominent Orie family of McCandless Township, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

The cause of death is unknown. 

Orie is the daughter of Dr. John R. Orie, and the late Jean Lally Orie. She is a sister of state Sen. Jane Orie, who is serving her third term representing the 40th Senatorial District and State Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. 

Orie worked at Allegheny General Hospital on the North Side of Pittsburgh for 25 years and spent the last year and a half also working part of the week at Cardiology Associates in Moon Township. She specialized in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine. 

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where she received her medical degree, Orie also graduated from Duquesne University School of Law and held a doctorate in law. 

Orie wanted to be a doctor from age 4, according to a 1978 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article written at the time she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh.

Interviewed for the piece, she said, "I grew up in medicine. I always said I was going to be a doctor, and no one questioned it because I was a woman." 

She was an assistant professor of medicine at the Drexel University College of Medicine. She also helped established the Nuclear Cardiology department at Allegheny General Hospital. 

She also liked to write, according to coworkers. Her published work includes an international presentation of paper on nuclear cardiology, Oslo, Norway; "Women's Heart Day;" and a paper she published in the Duquesne Law Review entitled "Economic Credentialing: Bottom-Line Medical Care." She also published in medical journals such as the the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 

"A lot of her patients are devastated," said Georgia Eberle, office coordinator for the office in Moon Township. 

Orie worked at the office three days a week, and she saw an average of 15 patients daily. The office will be closed Wednesday for the Mass of Christian Burial, which will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Alexis Church, in Wexford. 

"She was a sweetheart," said office manager Tammy Hall. "She had a big family, but she also made us her family."

Orie was also dame of Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta.

Survivors include: siblings, Jack Orie, Esq. (Christine); Janine Orie; Justice Joan Orie Melvin (Greg); James Orie, Esq. (Heidi); Dr. Joseph Orie (Kathy); Joy Orie; Sen. Jane Orie; and Jerome Orie, Esq. (Erin); and nieces and nephews, Jonathan, Esq., Meghan, Matthew, Casey, Tricia, Janine, John, Bridget, Danielle, James, Andrew, Stephanie, Jennifer, Gabrielle, Danielle, Patrick and Liam. She is also survived by many cousins and her cherished pets, Sophia and Bo.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at , 806 Perry Highway.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Alexis Church Building Fund.