Judith Prescott Swett Moreau

Judith Prescott Swett (Palmer) Moreau, 84, a longtime resident of Essex Junction passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Sunday, September 21, 2025 after a lingering illness.
Judy was born on August 16, 1941 in Middlebury, VT the eldest daughter of the late Phelps "Phil" Nash Swett Jr. and Lydia Prescott (Berry) Swett. The family lived briefly in Glens Falls, NY before her parents settled down in South Burlington, VT in 1949. Her early childhood summers were spent on the Nash Farm in New Haven, at the family's cottage on Lake Dunmore and at the family cabin in Starksboro, built by her father with a spectacular view of Camel's Hump.
Judy graduated from Burlington High School Class of 1959 when it was located at the Edmund's School. She served on the yearbook committee, the B.H.S. class of 1959 alumni committee and many more other clubs and activities. It was at this time, she met Walter "Terry" Palmer. They married at the home of her parents on February 11, 1961 and had five children, Debra, Susan, Dwight, Paul, and Karen. They raised their family in a close-knit development, Marvin Heights in Essex Junction, VT. She resided there for 62 years. Judy was a remarkable mother, grandmother, sister and Aunt. She taught herself to sew at the age of twelve making many of her own clothes growing up. This craft developed into a greater passion for a dressmaking and alterations business. She joyfully taught each of her children and grandchildren to sew and the craft remains in the family. Mom enrolled three of her children in the Essex Youth Hockey program.
She became known as a "hockey Mom." Whether staying home for games or traveling for games hockey was in her blood. This is where she met and married her second husband, Robert "Bob" Moreau on September 18, 1988. They shared passions for hockey, adventuring the backroads of VT and traveling to York, ME, where they shared the love of lobster and Congdon's donuts.
Over the years, Judy worked as a telephone operator for the telephone company, Sears, a hand model for a downtown jeweler, the IBM mask house, in construction, and as a medical transcriptionist for the SPINE Institute in Williston, VT where she retired.
Judy served for the Republican National Party, assisted the Essex Junction Community as a poll worker in several elections, played bridge (three groups), enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and word games. She supported all the events her grandchildren enrolled in including drama, music, cheerleading, football, basketball, baseball, or hockey. Her children and her grandchildren were her life.
Judy is survived by her five children and their families; Debbie and Larry Crone of Barnet, VT; Susan (Georges) and Joseph Faryniarz of South Burlington, VT; Dwight and Shawna Palmer of Milton, VT; Paul and Colleen Palmer of Essex, VT and Karen and Charles Cole of Essex, VT; by Bob's children Guy and Meliza Moreau of Marathon, FL; and Fran and Dana Potter of Hinesburg, VT; fifteen grandchildren Courtney Kleppinger; Rebecca and Kyle Palmer; Brandon Clark; Olivia and Julia Palmer; Charles "C.J." (Rachel) Cole; Andrew (Nikki) Cole; Justin (Madison) Cole; Joseph Faryniarz; Lee (Tasnem) Faryniarz; Max (Samantha) Moreau; Keana (fiancé, Micah) Moreau; Jake and
Cody Potter; one great-granddaughter Isabella "Bella" Cole; by her sister Ruth Kendrick; her brother Phelps "Flip" Swett III (Bryan Pierce) and her brother William "Bill" Swett; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and long-time friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert "Bob" Moreau; her children's father, Walter "Terry" Palmer; her parents Phelps "Phil" Nash Swett Jr. and Lydia Prescott (Berry) Swett; and by a grandson, Ethan Georges.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 5 to 7p.m. at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, VT. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 11a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 39 Main Street, Essex Junction. Reception will immediately follow downstairs in the church for light refreshments. A private burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington, VT.
Memorial donations in her honor can be made to: Essex Youth Hockey Association; Attn: Tracy O'Connell, EYHA Treasurer; P.O. Box 725; Essex Junction, VT 05453
The family would like to extend very special thanks to the sta at Premier (Burlington Health & Rehabilitation) in Burlington VT and to the sta at The Arbors in Shelburne VT for their excellent care and compassion in her final days. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judith, please visit our floral store.