Cathleen Ann Judge's Obituary
Cathleen A. “Cathy” (Lawlor) Judge, 76, of Dracut, MA, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2026, after a long and courageous journey with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a rare form of dementia. She was surrounded by the family and friends who loved her deeply.
Born in Lawrence, MA, Cathy was the daughter of the late Edward A. Lawlor and Helen (Moynihan) Lawlor. She shared 50 devoted years of marriage with her husband and best friend, Daniel Judge, whom she met as a young woman and loved for the rest of her life. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, loyalty, resilience, and the kind of love that made everyone around them feel welcome.
Cathy was the loving mother of Bre Judge McCarthy and her husband, Michael, of Andover, MA, and Dannah Judge Foresta and her husband, Paul, of Dracut, MA. She was predeceased by her daughter, Bridget Colleen Judge, and her son, Lt. Col. Sean Judge.
She was also the proud and adoring grandmother known variously as “Grammy,” “Gaga,” or “Grandma Cathy,” depending on who was calling for her. Nothing brought her greater joy than her grandchildren: Ryan, Seth, and Amelia Judge of Charlotte, NC; Cooper and Caelyn Foresta of Dracut, MA; and Seamus and Riley McCarthy of Andover, MA.She was the beloved sister of Buddy Lawlor, Jimmy Lawlor, and Fr. Michael Lawlor, a loving sister-in-law to Pam, Barbara, Nancy, Ellen, Conrad, and Ed, and dear cousin to Marcia and Gerry. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, dear neighbors, and lifelong friends.
After graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in Lawrence and the Chandler School for Women, Cathy worked as an executive assistant at Converse, the Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, now AgeSpan. In every role, she was known for her warmth, organization, dependability, and quiet ability to keep everything and everyone running smoothly.
Cathy had a gift for caring for people. She spent years lovingly caring for both her own parents and her in-laws, Rita and James Judge, rarely seeking recognition and never complaining. For many years, she also cared daily for her niece and nephew, Melanie and Matthew Lawlor, who became like another daughter and son to her.
She was an incredible cook, a devoted watcher of cooking and home makeover shows, and a woman who appreciated a perfectly made cosmopolitan. She had a head of hair that was the stuff of legends and a remarkable ability to find something to worry about under virtually any circumstance.
Above all else, Cathy treasured her family. While she was proud of many things in her life, her greatest accomplishment was the life she built with Dan: a marriage that lasted five decades and a family that absolutely adored them both. In the end, she was surrounded by generations of loved ones, a beautiful reminder that true wealth is measured not in possessions, but in the people who gather around you with love.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses, staff, and volunteers at High Pointe House in Haverhill, MA, who so gently and tenderly helped Cathy transition. To Leah George and the staff at Salon Metta, and to Dina Bornstein, who patiently tended to that gorgeous head of hair and helped keep Cathy feeling beautiful and dignified throughout her journey: your kindness will never be forgotten.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Cathleen’s life during calling hours on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Methuen Family Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 27th, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 115 Wheeler Rd, Dracut, MA. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. The family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Cathy’s honor to the Emma & Bruce Willis Fund for Dementia Research and Caregiver Support. To share memories, offer condolences, or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.methuenfh.com. The Methuen Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the Judge family.
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