Judy S. Walsh

Judy S. MacNeil Walsh, 78, of Pittsfield, MA died on Saturday, April 22, 2017 after a short and unexpected illness. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia on August 27, 1938 to Cecilia MacNeil Bassett, she graduated from Sydney Academy & went on to earn two Bachelor's Degrees from Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. One degree was in history and the other was in education. After teaching in Nova Scotia for three years, she made her way to the United States, earning a Master's Degree in Reading from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, & beginning a long & much loved career as a teacher. She taught at Cheshire Elementary School for a year & then at Nessacus Middle School in Dalton, Ma. until her retirement in 1995. During this time, she met the love of her life & best friend, Jim Walsh. They married in 1967 in Revere, MA & spent almost 50 glorious years together. Jim & Judy were inseparable. They worked together at Nessacus & socialized with their fellow teachers who they always referred to as a great bunch of people. They traveled to Big Pond, Nova Scotia to their second home for 41 years. While there, they enjoyed the beautiful views of the Bras d'Or Lakes from their deck as well as their many dear friends who were like a second family to them. When not traveling to Nova Scotia, they would often travel with their family & friends to Maine, Las Vegas, & Foxwoods Casino. Judy is survived by her beloved husband, Jim, who she loved with all her heart & spent hours talking with after their retirement ; her loving big sister, Pat Crivello who planned Judy's perfect wedding to the man of her dreams; her adored nieces & nephews Lisa Pope, Karen Furey, Denise Bassett, Jeannie & Andra Crivello, Glenn Levante, George Crivello, & Brian Bassett who were the children she never had; as well as a dear sister-in-law Judy Bassett & many great nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her wonderful mother, Cecilia MacNeil Bassett & her husband Bill Bassett; her loving brother Michael Bassett, as well as her much loved brothers-in-law & sister-in-law Tony Crivello, & Ray & Norma Levante. Finally, Judy's family would like to thank Dr. McInerney, the staff at BMC in the ER & on the 5th floor, & Mt. Greylock Nursing Home for their care. Thanks to Hospice Care of the Berkshires for their compassion & kindness.Thanks to Father Gregory for his continued prayers, support, & visits. Thanks to our family & friends near & far for all your help through a very sad & difficult time for us. Judy loved people so it has been a moving tribute to her to have your presence with us through this journey. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Judy S. MacNeil Walsh will be Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 10:30a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St. Pittsfield, MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11am at St. Charles Church celebrated by Rev. Peter A. Gregory, pastor. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph's Cemetery. There will be an hour of visitation at the funeral home, prior to the funeral service from 9:30 to10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Charles Church as her Catholic faith was ever present in her life or the Berkshire Humane Society as their cherished cat, Skidmore, brought her & Jim many years of joy. Donations can be made in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, in her memory. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Judy S. Walsh

August 27, 1938 - April 22, 2017