Judith Reed Emmons

Judith Reed Emmons passed away on Monday, November 28, 2011 at the age of 93 in her home in Bedford, Massachusetts. Mrs. Emmons was born in New Bedford, MA on July 8, 1918, the elder daughter of Eleanor Eddy Reed, and Unitarian minister George Hale Reed. She attended Winchester High School, graduated from the May School, and went on to receive a BA in Child Study from Vassar College in 1940.

During World War II Judy joined the Red Cross and was stationed in North Africa and Italy as a recreation worker. She subsequently worked in publishing in Boston before marrying A. Bradlee Emmons of Brookline in 1948. They settled in Lincoln, MA, and raised three daughters. She was actively engaged in the life of the community, as president of the Lincoln Nursery School, a member of the high school Student Exchange Committee, and a formidable tennis player in local tournaments. She was a longtime member of the First Parish Church in Lincoln, where she joined efforts to desegregate the Boston Schools, and protest the war in Vietnam. She often welcomed students from abroad and from other communities into the family home.

Judy was a lover of music from childhood. She sang popular songs of the day with her sister, learned to play the guitar in the 60's, played in a recorder group in Lincoln for 25 years, and loved to share her musicality with family and friends.

In retirement she traveled extensively with her husband, and became a serious amateur photographer. Widowed in 1984, she went on to marry Brent Bullock of Providence in 1990. She reveled in spending summers at the R.I. shore surrounded by her family.

Judy had an independent and adventurous spirit, an openness to new ideas and friendships, and an ever-present sense of humor, all of which are amply present in her memoir, Full Circle, written and self-published when she was in her eighties. She cared deeply about the state of the world, particularly the welfare of women and children, and was committed to reflecting, connecting, and acting to make a positive difference. She supported a variety of community projects in inner city Boston and developing countries, as well as conservation causes.

In her final years she found deep companionship at Carleton Willard Village, and took great delight in her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her sister Suzanne Reed Newton of Bedford, her daughters Ebe Emmons of Pittsburgh, Cai Emmons of Eugene, Patty Emmons of Denver, and her five grandchildren, Sarah Apt, Rachel Apt, Rebecca Davidson, Molly Davidson, and Ben Howorth. She is also survived by her step children Sarah DesJardins, Anne Moses, and Richard Bullock, and eight step grandchildren.

GIFTS IN HER MEMORY MAY BE MADE TO:
Westport River Watershed Alliance
1151 Main Road
Westport, MA 02790
www.wrwa.com

Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry.
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
www.uuum.org

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Friday, January 6, 2012 2:00 p.m.
The First Parish in Lincoln
4 Bedford Road
Lincoln, MA 01773

Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME, Concord, MA.