Judith Kirkland Duval

Jericho, VT – Judith Kirkland Duval, 81, born March 31, 1944, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the UVM Medical Center after a short illness.

Judy was born in Claremont, NH, the youngest child of four siblings to Arthur H. Duval and Alice B. Fowler. In 1956, Alice passed away when Judy she was only 12 years old. After graduating from Windsor High School in 1962, Judy attended the University of Vermont where she earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1966. Sadly, her father passed away unexpectedly in 1965. After leaving UVM, Judy moved to Boston, MA where she lived in a beautiful Brownstone and worked for the Jordan Marsh Company. Judy loved her time in the city and was very much a fashionista. In or about 1968, Judy returned to UVM to earn a Master of Education in Special Education.

Judy loved to travel and was lucky enough to go to Europe on at least four different occasions, which included visiting Ireland, Greece, Denmark and everything in between. She spent over 30 years vacationing along the east coast including Bangor ME, Cape Cod, MA, Cape Hatteras, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC. Judy also loved beach at the ocean, sitting out on her deck enjoying her view of Mt. Mansfield, tending to her garden and flowers and spending quality time with family.

Not long after receiving her Master's Degree, Judy started her career as a Special Education Teacher at Chamberlain Elementary School in South Burlington, VT. In 1976, Judy purchased her first home in Jericho, Vermont. It was around this same time that she began opening her heart and home to local foster children in addition to foreign exchange students. In and between caring for many children who needed a home, Judy adopted three boys. Two as a single mom, Travis and Colin and then Chris shortly after marrying Ralph Colt in October of 1988. Through this marriage, she gained a son, Rick Colt, who Ralph had adopted prior to their marriage. Judy did everything for her family and her children. She loved their Saturday night dinners and hosting huge Thanksgiving gatherings. Judy never missed an opportunity to travel with her sister Mary who was her best friend. The two of them experienced many great trips and countless laughs together. After her husband passed in 2016, Judy moved back to her favorite place, the "little red house" on Hanley Lane in Jericho, VT.

Judy absolutely loved teaching and giving to the less fortunate. After 40 years of teaching, she retired from the Burlington School District but she never retired from taking care of others. Following retirement, Judy worked closely with Howard Services who provided respite care for her autistic son Colin. She later became a Home Healthcare Provider and again offered her services to several young adults in need of a home. Judy was such a generous and giving mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend and caregiver. She definitely believed that if you love what you do, it would never feel like work.

Judy is survived by her three sons Christopher Duval Colt of Calais, Vermont, Colin M. Duval of Jericho, Vermont and Travis Duval of Winooski; her step-son Richard Colt; her sister Mary Lachance of Brewer, Maine; her two nieces Denise A. Duval of Somersworth, NH and Stephanie Lachance of Brewer, Maine; her sister-in-law Sally Duval of Essex Junction, Vermont; her nephew Jason Duval of Philomath, Oregon; six grandchildren; many foster children and two cats. Judy is predeceased by her parents, her husband Ralph Colt; her older sister Eugenia L. Duval; her older brother Alfred Duval; her two brother-in-laws Wilfred A. Duval and Edgar A. Lachance; and her two nephews, Peter and Colin Duval.

A celebration of life is set to take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025 1:00pm at 1378 VT Route 109, Waterville, VT. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local SPCA in Judy's memory. Please visit www.awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.