Judith “Judy” Martha Gillett Keefe, 82, of Hopkinton, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, of a heart and lung condition. Judy was born June 9, 1944, in Massena, New York, to Lewis Chapman Gillett and Martha Cadmus Karner.
The Gillett family later settled in Hopkinton. Judy was a graduate of Hopkinton High School and later from Chandler School for Women in Boston. In high school, Judy participated in band and played the trombone, orchestra, and basketball, despite her 4’11’’ stature. To her classmates, she was referred to as sunshine. To her older brother, she was monikered “fruitcake. Her yearbook seems to be a full tribute to her smile and sense of humor.
Judy married her high school boyfriend, James Edward Keefe, eloping in 1964. They had one son, Brendan Kerry Keefe, whom they adored.
Judy was employed with the Boy Scouts of America as a bookkeeper. She also worked at Colella’s Supermarket in Hopkinton at the meat counter and retired from the Hopkinton Town Hall building department, where she coordinated building permits.
Some of her best times were family trips to Cape Cod with her mother-in-law, Pauline, whom she lovingly referred to as Mable. She enjoyed Sunday breakfast debates with her brother-in-law, Dennis. Judy never met a party or gathering she didn’t like or attempt to be the life of the party. She was particularly excited about Marathon Day get-togethers, which she and Jimmy held at their Ray Street home and often hosted Mayor of Boston, Ray Flynn, Boston Police Commissioner, Mickey Roach, and the WBCN Wicked Yella Van. Labor Day weekend block parties were legendary. Above all, Judy was known for her happy demeanor, enormous smile, and contagious laughter. We love you, and you will be deeply missed.
Judy is survived by her son, Brendan Kerry Keefe, and his wife, Aydee, and their children, Miguel, Daniel, and Jocelyn Keefe, all of Spencer. She also leaves behind her siblings, Jane Hinckley, Carol Bodkin, and Robert Gillett, as well as her brother-in-law, Dennis Keefe, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A funeral service will follow in the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date.
