Judith K. Boersma

GREENFIELD- On June 5th 2012 at 1:30 in the afternoon, Judith peacefully left this world, surrounded by her loving family, and was set free from the confinement of ALS. Judith was born in Springfield, MA to Russell and Charlotte Howes (Snow) in late Autumn 1944. She was raised on the farm in idyllic Leyden, MA. As a child she went to school there as well as helped her parents run the farm, always keeping busy. It was then that she developed a love of our rich local history, both natural and social. She graduated high school from Pioneer Valley Regional School class of 1962, and followed her mother’s path into care-giving. She spent the majority of her working career as a CNA at Franklin Nursing Home, the Farren Care Center, and later at Charlene Manor Extended Care facility. She also served as town Secretary for the Town of Leyden in the 1970's. In 1967 she became a mother for the first time, giving birth to a girl, Christina. Two more would follow. Heather, in the winter of 1976, and a son Ross, in the spring of 1982. In 1970 she met the love of her life; Theodore Boersma, and the two were wed in 1974. They shared a loving life of 31 years together. First in Leyden and then from 1983 forward in Greenfield, MA. Judith enjoyed a wide variety of things, some of which were being an amateur historian, reading and collecting books, knitting, weaving, and crocheting, listening to and collecting a vast collection of music. Her all-time favorite was Pink Floyd. She was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for many years. She was a lover of animals, would never turn away a stray cat, and simply adored her Huskies. Judith also loved traveling, which was cultivated from many trips with her father Russell, who was a long-haul trucker. During many of the family trips she would bring us to historical sites across New England, sharing her love of the land and its history with her family. Most of all, she loved taking care of people. When her husband was diagnosed in 1977 with Multiple Sclerosis, she took the lead as his primary care giver, unflinchingly balancing that with raising three children, and having to be mom and dad in a lot of ways. Be it athletic events, ballet recitals, doctor visits, helping children move out, or back in, she was always there for all of us, she was our rock. Her stubborn devotion to her family was remarkable and was not lost on us. Through everything she remained focused on our family, and for that we are eternally grateful. When she was blind sided with the insidious disease known as Lou Gehrig’s or ALS, she never wavered. She was still driving just weeks before she went to the hospital, still doing the most possible for her family and for herself. We would like to say a special thank you to the many kind and caring nurses and doctors at UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Burbank Rehabilitation Center, Poet’s Seat Nursing Home, and especially Kindred Hospital Parkview who took such great care of her in her time of need, during her final years with us. She leaves behind but will always be with her loving children Christina Watson and her husband Daniel of Erving, MA; Heather Boersma and her fiance’ Martin Pinkerton of Newburyport, MA; and Ross Boersma and his fiancee’ Melinda Duff of Brattleboro, VT. Her grandchildren Michael Donaldson of Norwich, CT; Julian Donaldson of Kent, WA; Shannon Watson of Erving, MA; and Zachary Fournier-Duff of Brattleboro, VT. Her loving siblings David Howes of Northfield, MA; and DeAnne Jardin and her husband John of Bridgewater, MA; As well as triplet nephews Jeffery, Jeremy, and Jordan Filteau, and John Jardin Jr. Also a sister in-law, Sherri Boersma of Grand Rapids, MI. And a large extended family as well. She was predeceased by her father Russell in 1991, her mother Charlotte in November 2011, and her true love Theodore Boersma in September of 2009. The family would like to express to people everywhere what our mother, sister, and friend taught us; Never stop loving! A Memorial celebration will be held at a later date, to be announced, as well as her internment alongside her husband Theodore at Bourne National Veterans cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Dakin Animal shelter, the ALS Association, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The family has entrusted New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill St., Springfield, MA 01108 with the arrangements. For full details visit www.nefcc.net