Judith Lacey Ouellette
October 17, 1947 – October 14, 2026
Judith (Judy) Lacey Ouellette, longtime resident of Hyde Park and recent resident of Milton, passed away peacefully after a period of declining health, on October 14, 2026, just three days before her 79th birthday.
Born in Boston, Judy grew up in and around Braintree, Mass., the youngest of five children. Her lifelong commitment to education began with her own studies; she graduated from Jeanne d’Arc Academy in Milton and attended Boston State College, where she earned an undergraduate degree in education. She went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Fitchburg State. She devoted her career to teaching art in the Bridgewater and later Norwood school systems, sharing her love of artistic expression with generations of students. She also cherished her time teaching at Sophia University in Japan, while living abroad.
Education remained a lifelong priority for Judy, extending well beyond her professional career. She explored extraordinary educational opportunities for her son, and was enormously proud of his graduation from Noble and Greenough School as well as her grandchildren’s current enrollment there. She was a dedicated and engaged supporter of all the schools that her son and grandchildren attended, including Thacher Montessori School (where she helped establish its first after-school program for working parents), Noble and Greenough School, and Dedham Country Day School. She took a deep interest in her family’s educational experiences and was a steadfast presence in each school community.
Art was never confined to the classroom for Judy; creativity was a way of life. Highly unconventional and always willing to try new experiences, she relished in experimenting with the paintbrush, throwing on a pottery wheel and exploring glass blowing. She might stencil the ceiling of a room, create a collage of photographs to adorn a wall, or paint a garden scene on the back of her garage to complement the flowers growing below it. For Judy, almost anything could become a canvas, and ordinary surroundings were full of artistic possibilities. Her creative pursuits also extended to photography, and she provided photography services for local politicians while maintaining a keen interest in Boston politics. Music was another lifelong love, particularly the work of Charles Aznavour.
Halloween held a special place in Judy’s heart. Her favorite holiday, it gave her another opportunity to put her creativity to work making homemade costumes. She also loved bringing home a Christmas tree in her convertible with the top down in the snow to decorate it with funny homemade ornaments.
Judy spent decades living on Milton Avenue in Hyde Park, where her home was a gathering place for everyone and everything. She threw legendary pool parties and was happiest when serving as host and when she was surrounded by guests. Her son’s friends congregated in her home to watch sports, play games, and eat snacks even when he was away at college. She opened her doors to friends and family even when she wasn’t there, always reminding them, “the key is in the duck” to ensure her housekey was available to all. She created a place where friends knew they were welcome, and she was an important part of the lives of many young people who grew up in the neighborhood.
Judy loved to travel and treasured memories of living in Japan, wintering in Ft. Myers, Florida, and her visits to England, Italy, New Orleans and especially New York City. She also loved swimming at her home and at the Hyde Park YMCA, and wherever she went, she made a point of finding a pool. She was a keen gardener who brought her artistic eye to the world around her.
Judy is survived by her son, Evan Ouellette, and his wife, Katie, of Dedham, and her beloved grandchildren, Avery, Maren, and Quinn whom she adored. She was their “MeMe” and purveyor of hugs and “hubbub.” She also leaves her brother, Brendan, and his wife, Marie, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, along with many nieces and nephews. A special thanks is offered to her nieces Brenda McCarthy and Maureen Whiting, whose loving and dedicated support was especially strong during the final month of her life. She was predeceased by her parents, Augustine and Mary; her brothers, Robert and Gene; and her sister, Carol.
Judy will be remembered for her artistic vision and the creativity she brought to the world around her. Through the hundreds of students she taught, the art she created, and the many people she welcomed into her home, she leaves behind a lasting imprint on the lives of those who knew her.
A celebration of Judy’s life will be held at a later date, when friends and family can gather to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to The GSD3 Foundation, to support the treatment of glycogen storage disease type 3a, in honor of her granddaughter.