Obituary of Judith A. Boutilier

On July 29, Judith Ann Recke Boutilier’s heart stopped beating, after 82 years of unabashed loving. Throughout her life, she channeled that love to the obvious places, like her family, her friends, and her God. And also to strangers through volunteer work—delivering Meals on Wheels, working at Act Two Thrift Shop benefiting A Better Chance (ABC) in Madison, and leading flower therapy for seniors in care facilities. She’d also been known to stay on the phone with a lonely dialer of a wrong number for 30 minutes or more. Judy’s love didn’t stop at people. She had a passion for cooking, gardening, crafting, and the sea, and instilled the same in her three children and four grandchildren. She was the creator of award-winning halloween costumes, renaissance faire dresses, and many of her daughters’ childhood clothes. She took crafting to the next level, designing and creating beautiful hand-made gifts for those she loved, and to raise money for the causes she loved. She was a hostess extraordinaire and self-taught gourmet cook, who shone when entertaining at home. She always created a warm and welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt like family. Her love for her family was both fierce and patient. She was the first to support our dreams, and stand up for our rights. She believed in us, even when, or especially when, we didn’t believe in ourselves. She supported her husband of 63 years, Dick, in his career with the duPont company, fulfilling her role as “duPont Den Mother” with grace and style, while simultaneously running the house and raising their daughters. She forgave all of our shortcomings, of which there are many. She was a devoted grandmother who always listened, was always interested, and always comforted. She was eager to pitch wiffle balls, collect seashells, build pillow forts and lego creations, and play board games with her four grandchildren. When they were young, she could often be found with one on her lap as she read aloud. Born and raised in West Roxbury, MA, and a graduate of Roslindale High School, Judy was the second of four daughters. The sisters shared a close and loving bond throughout childhood and adulthood. Once their own children had left their nests, Judy and her sisters enjoyed traveling together out west, and became known affectionately as The Four Sisters of the Apocalypse. Judy saw the good in everyone she met. She was active in church throughout her life—most recently The Guilford Congregational Church, and prior to that, the Madison Congregational Church. And yet, somehow she left this earth with an undefeated record in Cards Against Humanity. Judy was surrounded by her family in her final days and hours. She left behind her devoted husband, Dick Boutilier; daughters Deborah Boutilier Minor, Suzanne Boutilier, and Nicole Boutilier; grandchildren, Sarah Minor, Daniel Minor, Matilda Boutiler, and Pilar Boutilier; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Larry Baker; and many beloved nieces, nephews and their children. Her loving spirit reunites with her parents, Rudolph and Ruth Recke; sisters, Marjorie Recke and Barbara Wain, and daughter Jennifer Boutilier. The family shares their heartfelt gratitude with Ms. Shirley Brown, who provided expert, gentle, loving care for Judy around the clock during the last two years of her life. The Boutilier family will be holding a small, private service to celebrate Judy’s life. The family invites you to visit Judy’s “Tribute Page” and share a memory of her at: https://robinsonwrightweymerfh.funeraltechweb.com/tribute/current-services/index.html. If you wish to pass along Judy’s love, please consider supporting an organization that was always dear to her by making a donation to Madison ABC in her name. https://madisonabc.org/how-to-donate/