Kathleen Elizabeth Dew

Kathleen E. (Goodspeed, Murphy) Dew, 89, of Hudson, MA, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and wife, passed peacefully on June 16th at Artisan at Hudson after a long and beautiful life.

Kathleen “Kathy” was born on September 5, 1934, the second of seven children to Ernest and Nora (Crehan) Goodspeed. She was born in Milton, MA, at the home of close family friend Mary E. “Maizie” Dawes, who became her second mother. 

Kathy attended Saint Gregory School, where she excelled as a student while also helping to raise her younger siblings.

After graduation, Kathy worked for several years at the First National Bank until she married her first husband, the late John P. Murphy. She and John moved to Braintree, where they raised their four children. Although they parted ways after 27 years, they came to enjoy a warm relationship, with both present at family gatherings.

In her next chapter, Kathy became a dental assistant and worked for many years at Milton Dental Associates. During this time, she met her beloved husband, Benton W. Dew. Kathy and Ben married in 1989 and resided in Randolph, MA, before moving to Hudson. 

Kathy and Ben enjoyed many happy years splitting their time between Massachusetts and Florida. They especially cherished their years of boating on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, where they often hosted their grandchildren aboard the “Dewette II.”

Kathy was a devoted mother to John P. Murphy, Jr. and wife Monica Fortune of Braintree, MA; Linda Berube and husband Mark of Paxton, MA; Donna Plummer of Stoneham, MA; and Elizabeth Winn and husband Gregg of Concord, MA. 

She was beloved grandmother to the late Colin Murphy, Ryan (Murphy) Crowe and husband Kevin of South Boston, MA; Michael Plummer and wife Brianna of Billerica, MA; Devin Plummer and wife Ariana Garaffo of Stoneham, MA; Dana Berube and partner Tim O’Connor of Jamaica Plain, MA; Eric Berube and wife Christa of Spencer, MA; Lauren Berube Styles and fiancé Steve Hall of Cambridge, MA; Paige Winn and fiancé Parker Callister of Rochester, NY; and Taylor Winn and partner Burke Hutchinson of New York, NY. 

Kathy was also a proud great-grandmother to Cadence Plummer of Saugus and Billerica, MA, Jake Daens of Billerica, MA and Baby Crowe who is expected in September.

When she joined Ben’s family, Kathy became stepmother to Sally Beaulieu and husband Brian of Sugar Hill, NH; Jennifer Young and husband David of Natick, MA; and Gary Dew of Burlington, MA. She also gained seven step-grandchildren. 

Kathy is survived by her sister Marie Kollker of NY and was predeceased by siblings Mertie Pitzl, Norene Killelea, Walter Goodspeed, William Goodspeed, and Patricia Staniewicz.

Kathy loved her family and graciously hosted many gatherings in her younger years. A meticulous homemaker, she enjoyed cooking and always had a stash of recipes she was eager to try. She had a quick wit and great sense of humor and loved to read, listen to music, and dance. She was a woman of great strength who survived cancer three times, along with other health challenges. 

Kathy will always be remembered for her beautiful blue eyes and for often wearing blue to compliment them. 

The family wishes to thank the Artisan at Hudson and West River Hospice staff for their most compassionate care during Kathy’s last months. 

Services will be private.

Donations in Kathy’s memory may be made to:
The Alzheimer’s Association
320 Nevada St, Suite 201
Newton, MA 02460.
Alzheimer's Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com