Judith Butler Kolson

Judith Butler “Judy” Kolson, a longtime resident of Quincy, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024. She was 79.

She was born in Quincy to Margaret (Daly) and Lawrence Butler and raised in the Merrymount area of Quincy. She graduated from Quincy High School, Class of 1962 and went on to earn her associate’s degree in business management at Aquinas College. After earning her degree, she took great pride in being the only woman working in the offices at Model Roland International.

Judy met Peter Kolson, at a Young Democrats dinner in Quincy. On their first date where they decided to drive to NYC for fun, wound up lost and got back home to very worried families at 4 o’clock in the morning. This set the tone for a life of adventure, a bit of chaos and a lot of laughter. Judy and Peter married in 1970. They first settled in Abington where they started a family, having 4 children in Abington and a 5th when they moved back to Quincy. Judy then worked in admitting at the South Shore Hospital for over 20 years. Judy was always active in civic service. She was president and on the board of the Manet Community Health Center for many years. During her time with Manet, she made health care centers better by frequently advocating in Washington D.C. She often brought her children on these trips and exposed them to the political workings of government. She was also known as the “Lady with the hats” As Judy was always impeccably dressed from her hats to her shoes with many beautiful suits in between. 

Judy had a curiosity that made for a very engaging personality. She loved to sing and dance and tell stories with her husband Peter and encouraged her children to be involved in the performing arts. As a result, her children became fabulous singers and very good storytellers. She was often at the kitchen table with her family and friends, having tea and chatting away the evenings. She truly loved her friends and family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Beloved wife of 54 years to Peter Kolson of Quincy. Devoted mother to Juliana Lyman and her family in Lexington, the late Kerrianne Kolson, Peter Kolson Jr. and his wife Katie and family in Fairport, NY, Margaret Vosburgh and her husband Jordan and family in Blackstone, and Caitlin Briggs and her wife Sarah of Colchester, VT. Loving sister to Maryanne Lencki, Margaret Hanna and Kathleen Butler, all of Quincy and her late brother Lawrence Butler Jr. Adoring grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 3. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Margaret (Daly) and Lawrence Butler.

Keeping in line with Judy’s wishes of NOT having a funeral on a Monday, relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Tuesday, August 27th, from 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Wednesday, August 28th, prior to the Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Quincy at 10 AM. Burial will take place following cremation on Wednesday, September 4th at 11 AM at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.