Judith Surveyer Mitiguy, R.N.

Judith "Judie" (Thibeault) Surveyer Mitiguy, R.N., 74, of Warwick, RI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at her home, with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late James "Jim" Woodward Mitiguy, who passed away on November 6, 2018, and to whom she was married on May 11, 1985.
Born on February 6, 1944 in Central Falls, RI, she was the daughter of the late Honorable Joseph A. Thibeault and the late Dorothy A. (Watson) Thibeault.
Judith received her Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College School of Nursing, and was a member of their Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Chi Chapter. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Maternal Child and Health Nursing from Boston University. Later in her career, Judith completed a Master of Science degree from the Boston University College of Communication. She proudly and honorably served our country as a Nurse in the United States Navy, and worked for many years as a Registered Nurse in the field of pediatric and maternal-child health nursing for Boston Children's Hospital and for the Shriner's Hospital for Children. Judith then worked in healthcare publishing as a writer and editor, including as Executive Vice-President and Editor in Chief of the Gannett Healthcare Group, and as an Editor of BayStateNurse News and Nurse.com. She was a member of the faculty of Boston College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She authored more than one hundred clinical, journal, and magazine articles, and humbly received several prestigious professional and writing awards.
A faithful and devout Catholic, Judith attended Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead, MA. Throughout her life, she loved to sing in the chorus. She consistently practiced prayer, meditation and yoga, enjoyed running and later, walking and swimming daily. An avid reader, lover of books, libraries, and writing, her passion was helping others find their voice through the written word. She had a knack for recommending the perfect book to anyone, for any situation or interest. Judith loved to travel and was curious about everything and everyone. During her downtime, she could be found listening to NPR, an audiobook, watching PBS Masterpiece, or one of her many favorite films and TV Series, CNN, competing with the best of the contestants on Jeopardy!, reading just about anything, playing Scrabble (and winning) or Charades with family or out and about with friends at Jazz Festivals, poetry readings, concerts, the Opera, the theatre, art museums or bookstores. Sundays were for church and walks, phone calls to family and friends, but first, Jim's delicious scrambled egg breakfast and time working on The New York Times crossword puzzle with a sharpened #1 pencil and Starbucks' Venti Latte close by. For years, she faithfully called her mother to tackle the NYT crossword puzzle together.
She loved to be in and observe nature, especially on the little pond in the back of her house in Marblehead.
When Judith entered a room in her brightly colored clothes, chunky silver jewelry, and dazzling, bold lipsticked smile, everyone wanted to be in her presence. She was known for her attentive listening and interesting questions, "always the interviewer," she would say. She had a huge heart for animals, especially her late cats, Toby and Charlie. Judith always sent the most perfect cards: colorful, artsy, with beautiful messages and favorite quotes. She never forgot an occasion and often sent books in bright, happy wrapping paper as gifts. She always remembered to check on her family and friends if they were sick or injured, even if they just had a cold. We joked that she would send us a Get Well card if we stubbed our toe.
For 25 years, Judith was a cherished member of Kitchen Table Writers, a group of women who knew her for her grace and elegance, her compassion, her sense of humor, and for her love of poetry and literature, as well as her unique way with words.
Judith held a special place in her heart for Block Island, where she spent summers working with her sisters for The Spring House as a young adult. The highlight of her year was visiting there for two weeks every September with her husband, catching up with old friends and basking in the beauty and serenity of the Island. She said it restored her for the coming winter and work year.
She would often recite poetry or sing snippets of songs out of the blue, which always made one smile or sing along.
Wife, daughter, sister, step-mother, aunt, friend, writer, editor, and nurse extraordinaire, Judith made everyone feel like they were the most interesting, important, wonderful person; and in turn, she was clearly a special and favorite person to so many. Judith always said her friendships were vital to her happiness and wellbeing.
A true nurse in everything she did, in all her interactions with the world, Judith was caring, compassionate, and always ready to help. She was the person everyone wanted when they fell ill, were struggling or sad, but also the person you wanted to share your happiest news with. She was so genuine, loving and kind in everything she did. Judith was beautiful, brilliant, wise and worldly woman, who was also silly and fun, down to earth and so easy to be with. Everyone enjoyed her company. She loved to laugh and make others laugh and could often be found reaching to pet an animal on her walks or getting down on a child's level to talk and play with them.
Judie was the dear sister of Joanne Donovan and her husband, Charles Donovan, of Warwick, RI; Elizabeth A. Federman and her companion, Richard Sidla, of Cranston, RI; Jonathan A. Thibeault of ME; Patrick H. Thibeault and his wife, Cheryl Thibeault, of Rehoboth, MA; Thomas J. Thibeault of Cumberland, RI; the late Sue Ellen Thibeault; and the late Mary Ellen Thibeault. She was the cherished step-mother to Janis Ann Willis of The Boston Home in Dorchester, MA; Edmund Reeves Mitiguy of North Attleboro, MA; William Francis Mitiguy of Haverhill, MA; Mary Catherine Ciassulo-Mitiguy of Millis, MA; Katherine Mary Perrine of Townsend, MA; Meg Mitiguy Goulet of Attleboro, MA; and John Mitiguy of Norwood, MA. She was the beloved aunt of Bethany E. Mott; Adam G. Mott; Andrew C. Mott; Justin B. Mott; Chelsea A. Suvlu; Lindsey A. Curless; Hilary A. Mulligan; Matthew R. Thibeault; George Shakan; and Joseph T. Thibeault; and adoring great-aunt of Lincoln B. Suvlu and Calvin W. Suvlu. She was the former wife and dear friend of Russell Surveyer.
Her smile and infectious laughter, wit and wisdom will remembered by all who knew her. A quote from one of Judith's favorite books, The Little Prince, suits her perfectly: She was "unique in all the world." She will be missed every single day.
Friends and family are cordially invited to honor and remember Judith by gathering for a Visitation with Veteran's Honors on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. at Dyer-Lake Funeral Home. A date and time for a special Mass to memorialize Judith will be announced at Friday's services.Graveside Services with Full Military Honors will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. in Waterside Cemetery, West Shore Drive, Marblehead, MA, at which time she will be laid to rest alongside her dear late husband, Jim.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Judie to the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead, MA, or to a favorite charitable organization of one's choice to benefit children or animals.
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200