Judith Ann Hoyt

Judith Ann (Leighton) Hoyt, Educational Pioneer, of Union Connecticut, died Sunday, September 5, 2010 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. Born in Portland, Maine, March 8, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Bradford and Lois Leighton of Waquoit Village, Mashpee, MA. Mrs. Hoyt was a resident of North Reading, Westfield and Holland, MA, where she raised her family. Judy was a Master of Education and a pioneer in changing the field of education. Her efforts on behalf of her eldest son Rick, allowed countless individuals with disabilities to be educated in public schools alongside their non-disabled siblings, friends and peers. Judy founded ASHS, Association for the Support of Human Services, a human service agency that created Kamp for Kids, the first ever summer camp for children with and without disabilities. In her later years, Judy worked as a secretary for the Town of Thompson, CT, H & R Block, the Last Green Valley, and for Beltane Farm, marketing organic goat cheeses. She is survived by her ex-husband, Dick Hoyt of Holland, MA; her three sons and a daughter-in-law, Richard E. Hoyt, Jr. of Fiskdale, MA; Robert S. Hoyt of Holyoke, MA; and Russell A. Hoyt and wife Lisa M. Hoyt of Billerica, MA; her sisters, Nancy Stackhouse of Evergreen, CO and Susan Grillo of Newbury, MA; four grandsons, Jayme, Cameron, Troy and Ryan; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends around the country. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830 or to The Hoyt Foundation, Inc., 241 Mashapaug Road, Holland, MA 01521. Interment services will be held privately for the family at a later date. Arrangements are by Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Family Funeral Home, 35 Green Street, Newburyport, MA 01950.