Judith Marie McConnell

Judith Marie (Smith) McConnell, a long time resident of Rockland, Massachusetts, passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, Massachusetts on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, at the age of 87. She had been a resident of Foremost at Sharon for 7 1/2 years, Samuel Marcus Nursing Home in Weymouth, Massachusetts for 7 years, and Elizabeth Catherine Rest Home for 3 1/2 years. Judy was born on April 7th, 1938 in Newton, Massachusetts to the late Helen Marie (Ryder) Smith and the late Elwood Schuyler Smith. She graduated from Westwood High School in 1956 where she participated in chorus and was a majorette for all four years. Following graduation, Judy attended hair dressing school for a few months but decided to change her career goals. She graduated from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and began working at John Hancock Insurance Company in Boston, Massachusetts.

Judy married the late Richard (Dick) Phillips McConnell on September 12th, 1959 and moved to Thompsonville (Enfield), Connecticut after their honeymoon. During her life, she enjoyed caring for her family and became a stay-at-home mother for her two children, Scott and Jan. Judy valued her relationship with her church, First Parish of Westwood, as well as her family and friends so intensely that they moved back to Massachusetts by 1964. Within a few months, Judy and Dick purchased the house next door to her brother Bob, his wife Joan, and their children. The happiest years of her life were spent living on Beechnut Road next door to her best friend (her brother) and his family. Judy was very active in the Young Couples Club, organizing Santa’s breakfast and participating in many plays as a member of the chorus. She shined on the stage and passed her love of performance and the theater onto her daughter Jan.

Judy, Dick and the children moved to a bigger house in Westwood in 1972. Shortly after, she started her career in clothing sales at Kordettes in Norwood and Westwood Juniors in Westwood. Judy changed careers again and began working as a receptionist/administrative assistant at Clayton Manufacturing in Westwood. After a few years, she began selling Mary Kay Cosmetic hoping to earn the pink Cadillac. Judy and Dick divorced in 1982 and she and her daughter Jan moved to Mansfield. After Clayton closed, she found a position at Emulogic in Norwood then a few years later was hired by MacIntyre, Fay & Thayer in Newton as a receptionist/administrative assistant. Eventually, Judy moved into the claims department at M, F & T then transferred to their Norwell office. Her last employment in insurance was at Hurley Insurance but Judy decided to retire early at the age of 63. Prior to her retirement, she had been hired as the babysitter for two girls who lived across the street from her home in Rockland. After her retirement, Judy found another loving family and became the nanny for their children. Throughout her life, she was a talented seamstress and artist. Judy was also known for her humor and generosity to friends and family as well as members of the Young Couples Club. She was an avid protector of children and animals often volunteering and always having multiple pets throughout her life

Judy is predeceased by her son Scott T. McConnell, her brother Robert S. Smith, her sister-in-law Joan (Riordan) Smith, and nephew John E. Smith. She is survived by her daughter Jan M. McConnell of Braintree, her grandson Ryan D. McConnell and his wife Elena, her great-granddaughter Isla M. McConnell, and her nieces Susan, Linda and Nancy as well as their respected spouses and children.

Visiting hour will be held on Saturday, October 4th, from 10:00 to 11:00 am and followed by a funeral service at 11:00 at the Folsom Funeral Home at 649 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090. Interment will follow at the New Westwood Cemetery, on High Street in Westwood. Donations to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 would be appreciated.