Judith Reed
East Lyme — Judith Ann Reed, 73, of Niantic passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, surrounded by her husband and daughter after a brief and courageous battle against cancer.
She was born Nov. 7, 1943 to Joseph and Helen Gonski of Naugatuck. She was raised in Naugatuck, attended St. Francis Elementary School and graduated from Naugatuck High School. She attended and graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Hartford with a RN degree.
She applied for and was accepted to the Peace Corps, but decided to join the U.S. Army Nurses Corp instead. She served in the U.S. Army Hospital in Muenchweiler, Germany.
She enjoyed nursing and worked whenever she had the opportunity: Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, U.S. Coast Guard Hospital in New London, Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii, and other hospitals in Bremerton, Wa. and Charleston, S.C. She also worked for the Ledyard Public Health, Navy Relief Society, Waterford Public Health, Visiting Nurses Association of Southeastern Connecticut, Seniors Helping Seniors in Waterford, Extended Families in Old Lyme, and the Friendly Visitor Program in New London. She loved people and would step forward to help others whenever there was a need. She was known for her cheerful smile, warm personality and red lipstick.
Mrs. Reed volunteered at the Center for Hospice Care in Southeastern Connecticut and recently received recognition for 25 years of service and was proud of her involvement with the “pin a veteran program.”
She was a lector at St. Matthias Church in East Lyme, and was an active member of the Women’s Club. She was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-inlaw, daughter-in-law, aunt and friend.
Judy met the love of her life, Steven, in 1968. They were married June 21, 1969, at St. Francis Church, in Naugatuck, and briefly resided in Groton. Steven was transferred to a new duty station in Hawaii and they moved to Pearl City, Hawaii. After a few months, she became the “chief of the boat’s wife.” This was challenging as she wasn’t sure what a chief of the boat was. She persevered, with help, and did a commendable job. Besides her husband of 48 years, she leaves her daughter, Stephanie Reed of Uncasville; a brother, Joseph Gonski of Prospect; a sister, Janet of Montville; a son, Christopher of California; a grandson, Jaron Reed of Uncasville; granddaughters, Victoria Reed of Millersville, Pa. and Lilly Gibeault (Reed) of Jewett City; great-granddaughter, Marilyn Bowers of Millersville, Pa.; brothers-in-law, Scott Reed and Ken Jury of Durham, N.C. and Michael Reed of Ontonagon, Mich. She has a sisterin-law, Cindy Howard and her husband, Ken, of Moreno Valley, Calif.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son, Larry.
The Reed family would like to thank Dr. Peter J. Gates and Dr. Jason R. Haldas for their care, the staff at Smilow Cancer Center in Waterford, the staff at Unit 4.2 (especially Morgan) at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, and her many friends in making her life amazing. A special thank you is extended to the Center for Hospice Care in Norwich.
Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, in St. Matthias Church, Chesterfield Road, East Lyme. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, in the Church, with interment to follow in East Lyme Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Matthias Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 25, East Lyme, CT 06333.
Condolences may be shared on Judith’s memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.