Judith D. Hood, 88 passed away at her home in Manchester-by-the-Sea comforted and surrounded by her family and amazing caregivers.
Judy Hood was born Judith A. Deitrich in Queens, NY to Archie and Clara Belle Deitrich. She attended Milne School in Albany, NY, earned her undergraduate degree at Wellesley College and later achieved her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Smith College. She began a career after Wellesley teaching in the public schools in Sharon, MA. She later met her husband, Charles H. Hood, and they were married on September 9, 1961. They initially settled in Arlington, MA and their son, Harvey was born in 1963. They had been married almost 55 years when Charles passed away.
Judy was very active and involved as a volunteer for many organizations in and around the Boston area. She had a lifelong love of people, learning, the arts and music, especially Opera. She loved to play the piano. She worked with others to start the Volunteer Program at the Boston Museum of Science, fundraising through an annual garage sale called the “Unique Boutique”, trying to break the fundraising record each year of the year before. She served on the board of the Boston Museum of Science, the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College (her husband’s alma mater), WGBH and the Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts. She was also a member of the President’s Circle at McLean Hospital. Her most long-standing involvement, which extended for 35 years, was a board member of Carleton Willard Village (CWV) in Bedford, MA. She was passionate about the care and mission of CWV up until she retired from the board in 2018.
Judy began a second career later in life in the early 90’s with her MSW as a clinical social worker (LICSW). She worked first at the Family Center in Summerville and then set up practice as an established family therapist for many years. She had the gifts of being a great listener, having a compassionate heart, and being able to make everyone she encountered feel significant and cared for.
Judy enjoyed every opportunity to play tennis or a round of golf. She loved her family and friends deeply and unconditionally. She will be remembered for many, many things -- for her kindness, hospitality, bright smile, enthusiasm, quick wit and intelligence, but also for her chocolate chip cookies, kitchen table wisdom and warm hugs.
The family wishes to thank all those that gave her such wonderful care over the last several years. That amazing and loving care greatly added to her life.
Judy was predeceased by her parents, Archie and Clara Belle Deitrich, her son, Harvey P. Hood, IV, and her husband, Charles H Hood, II. She is survived and loved by her sister, Mary Lou Wildasin, her sister-in-law, Olivia Hood Parker, 11 nieces and nephews, 32 grand-nieces and nephews, and 28 great-grandnieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Carleton Willard Village or a charity of your choice.