CHARLTON – Judith M. “Judy” (Dion) Holewa, 65, died Saturday, March 2, 2024 in UMass Harrington Hospital, Southbridge after being stricken ill at home.
She leaves her husband of 20 years, Joseph E. Holewa; 2 children, Caitlin Rickaby and her husband Mike of Clinton, CT, and Brian Kiley and his partner Katie Dragon of Brooklyn, CT; 2 stepchildren, Colleen M. Holewa of Mount Pleasant, SC and Laura C. Holewa of Arlington, MA; a grandson, Maverick Kiley; her mother, Lorraine (Stolarczyk) Dion of Webster; a sister, Jane Dion and her wife Cindi Perugini of Middletown, CT; a brother, Michael Dion and his wife Debby of Lakeville, MA; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Sloane Marie Rickaby.
She was born on August 16, 1958 in Warwick, RI, the daughter of the late Raymond Dion and grew up in Thompson and Webster before moving to Charlton in 2007. She graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in Thompson, CT in 1976 and then earned an associate degree as a medical secretary from Bryant University in Smithfield, RI.
Judy worked at UMass Medical School in Worcester for many years as a student affairs administrator before she retired. She then was a customer service administrator at the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Brookfield and currently worked in that capacity at the Veterinary Specialty Clinic in Sturbridge.
She was a communicant of Saint Joseph Church in Charlton where she served as a Eucharistic minister and belonged to a women’s prayer group.
Always with a smile, she noticed the good in others and wanted to help them: she made everyone feel comfortable. She loved all animals, arts and crafts, landscaping and traveling. She enjoyed attending trop-rock concerts sponsored by her husband’s band. Above all, she loved her family.
Her funeral will be held Saturday, March 16, at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church, 10 H. Putnam Road Extension (please meet at the church). Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 15, in Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to either Saint Joseph Church, PO Box 338, Charlton City, MA 01508, or to Second Chance Animal Shelter, 111 Young Road, East, Brookfield, MA 01515.