Maureen Hudson, 70 of North Reading died at home ending her battle with cancer. She is deeply missed by her husband of 52 years, John, her children Peter Hudson (Becky Plourde), Kimberley Howe (Derek), and Corinne Crossley (Andrew), as well as her grandchildren, Emma, Sarah, Julia and Parker Hudson, Annika Howe, and Cricket and Rhett Crossley.
Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts to George and Miriam Murphy, she spent her early years as an eager student, dutiful older sister to Sharon, and stealing away for an occasional special trip into the city with Nana. Most special were their holiday trips to see the Enchanted Village and eating blueberry muffins at Jordan Marsh.
In her junior year of high school, she met her life-long partner, John at a Civil Air Patrol meeting. Just days after graduating from high school, they married and spent only a short time together before he was shipped out to serve in Vietnam. Maureen spent the first year of her marriage living with John’s family who had recently lost their own mother to a sudden illness. Ever the care-taker, Maureen’s early attempts at learning to cook for her new family members earned her the nickname ‘Blowtorch Sal,’ (due to her penchant for overcooking food). This time left her deeply bonded with her brothers-in-law David and Bill, as well her sister-in-law, Peg and father-in-law, John Sr.
Upon John’s return and their settling into their life together, Maureen became a mother with the birth of Peter. Over the course of the next nine years their daughters Kimberley and Corinne were born. In a role that she embodied, Maureen loved her children deeply and was a constant supportive presence in their lives participating in PTA meetings, acting as a coordinator of the Arts Workshop program, in addition to cheering them on at baseball games, crying at every dance recital and valiantly (if unsuccessfully) attempting to program the family VCR on their behalf. Ever full-hearted, she was known to offer care beyond her family, be it welcoming guests to the holiday table, playing secret Santa to a struggling family, or packing an extra school lunch for kids that didn’t have one.
Maureen made many friends in her thirty-year career in purchasing for Middlesex Community College where she worked until nearly the last weeks of her life. She was known to help people out, even when their paperwork was filed wrong or late, and always had a glowing story to share about her children or grandchildren.
She delighted in her children finding loving marriages. Side-stepping the trope of the horrible mother-in-law, her loss is felt deeply by all. Within each of these partnerships was the arrival of grandchildren, thrilling Maureen. Known as Meme or Mame, depending on which one you ask, Emma, Sarah, Julia, Annika, Cricket, Parker, and Rhett brought laughter and joy to every visit, craft project, or chat she spent with them. They showered her with gifts of any ladybug-related item they could find (a favorite of hers) so that vibrant red with black polka dots spread over her home, office, and even her car.
Once an empty nester, Maureen added to her second act by pursuing her degree with a focus on art history. She reveled in learning the cultural context of art and expanding her point-of-view beyond her life experience. Her ready laugh and loving presence are deeply missed.
Due to COVID, a small, private ceremony will be held at Croswell Funeral Home. A springtime, celebration of life is planned for a later date. Donations can be made to the Aradhya-Beauchemin Arts Scholarship at Middlesex Community College, or the Cancer Center at Mass General Hospital, scholarship for adult students or the MFA. Those who wish to honor her memory are also invited to bake, craft, wear a sparkly pin or beautiful scarf, curl up with a good mystery novel, enjoy a spuckie with a tonic, fall asleep to an old movie, or tell someone you care about how much you love them — often. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com
This is one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever read… what a gift to have led such a full life! To me, Meme was a woman with a warm heart, a quick smile and a comfort that made you feel connected immediately. I’ll always treasure the times I bumped into her around town and the time we spent in her kitchen one afternoon. She made a beautiful family, I’m sure she will always be looking down on them proudly. ❤️
Having read the comments below I am reminded of how good a person Maureen was. She was always helpful and always sincere, I am a better person for having known her. I encourage all of her Middlesex coworkers to donate to the Aradhya-Beauchemin Arts Scholarship in Maureen’s name.
I work part time at MCC and would often run into Maureen in the hallway (or when I was searching for candy in the dish in the office near hers). We had some pretty profound conversations in those short chats, but also talked about how creatively her office was always decorated and what she had been reading. I will miss seeing her when we return to campus in more more normal times. My heart goes out to her much-loved family.
I am a recipient of Maureen’s kindness. Going through a divorce in 1995 Maureen and her family came to my rescue.
Maureen was a coworker of mine at MCC but more of a friend. She and her family opened up their home to me and (Kimberley gave up her bed on occasion). Holiday’s were spent at the Hudson home with my daughter Allison, including a dance recital she attended (bringing flowers) and coordination an amazing of my eldest daughters graduation reception from college. Maureen was always their when needed.
I could go on but anyone knowing the Hudson Family would know how caring, generous and how they touched many lives with Maureen’s guidance.
I am blessed that Maureen and family came into my life.
I shall always have Maureen in my ♥️ I love you
Diane Casey
I am truly saddened by this news about Maureen. I enjoyed working with Maureen for many years at Middlesex Community College. She was such a kind and sweet lady. Whenever we would meet or talk by phone to discuss a college matter, she always took time to ask about my family. We both were very fortunate to work at the college during its heyday and I am grateful that I was able to work with Maureen. May she rest in peace.
I am saddened to hear of Maureen’s passing. She was always a helpful resource for me at MCC when I wasn’t sure what I was doing while trying to create purchase orders. Though I didn’t know her well, I do know she will be missed by her colleagues. Sincere condolences to the family. RIP Maureen.
I will truly miss Maureen. She was such a kind person and always had such great advice.
I’ve read this over and over… through tears and smiles and with gratitude to be a part of her family. I wish for peace and for enduring happy memories of her to all.
Even though we worked in different departments at MCC (me in Marketing, her in Purchasing) I always enjoyed interacting with Maureen in a variety of “Building 10” gatherings & celebrations. She was a warm & generous woman who loved everyone. I will keep her family in my prayers.
I am so saddened to read this! Maureen was such a kind hearted, warm colleague who was always eager to help, train and advise colleagues like myself with unending patience! I felt a kindred spirit with her as we share the same name and often got each other’s emails. I feel honored to have known her. My sincere sympathies to all her family
Rest In Peace Maureen H.
With sincere thoughts and prayers.
Dona
My condolences to the family.
Janine Daunais/ MCC coworker
Sincere condolences to the family. She will be missed by her many friends.
i am so sad to hear of her passing- i worked with Maureen all 26 years – her in purchasing and me in payables. i have SO many happy /funny/sad memories…. she was the first to reach out to me when i moved to the new Bedford campus- called and asked if she could pick out a desk for me- how sweet from someone you never met, funny- she made me a pair of pj bottoms with elephants- yup she with her ladybugs me with elephants.. i still have them.. and she left her trademark ladybug sewn in on the bottom left leg.. i will cherish them. and sad i still recall she was the first to notify us all of the 9-11 incident… i am sure she is up in heaven having a grand old time with Annie otherwise known as scoop (yup she gave that nickname to a former co-worked Ann)… lovely lady
I am so sad to read this notice, and so sorry for your tremendous loss. This was a beautifully written tribute to your mom. She was so proud of all of you and her love for you shone through her face and voice at every opportunity she had. I remember always laughing with her, and that ever-ready smile. Please know that all of you are in my heart.
Love and prayers,
Anne Gleason
So sad to learn of Maureen’s passing. She was very kind and patient and liked to laugh. Deepest Sympathies. Carolyn Delehanty MCC
So sad to hear of Maureen’s passing. As an MCC employee, I contacted Maureen on a regular basis for help with PO’s. She was always helpful, and patient, even when I asked her the same question 100 times. Maureen was a wonderful
person and will be missed at MCC. Condolences to her family,
I am heartbroken to hear of Maureen’s passing. I worked with Maureen for many years at MCC and she was a kind, funny, smart, and dedicated lady. Back in the days when we actually used to have to go and pick up our paychecks at the business office, I would often have my young pre-school age daughter with me and she would make the rounds in the office visiting everyone’s desk and being a cute little kid. Well, my daughter is now a mother herself, and Maureen through the years continued to always ask about her and how she was doing, and told me how much she always enjoyed those visits. She has left us all much too soon and she will be very much missed by all.
I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Maureen. I worked at Middlesex Community College for almost all of those same thirty years as her. I was an administrator in several departments and Maureen was always so helpful to me and my staff. She had a wonderful balance of following the rules, but being so supportive and getting things done. She was very accessible by phone or email. Maureen had a service mentality and approach.
The most important thing about her, however, was what a wonderful person she was. I made it a point to stop in her office in Building 10 in Bedford when I was there because she had such a warm, kind smile and pleasant manner. And we would talk about our families. I know she loved hers deeply and she would always ask me about mine. She was a great listener. God Bless You, Maureen.
Chris Brennan
I am very sorry to see that Maureen passed away. I have only been at MCC for 2-1/2 years and Maureen was always so helpful. She will certainly be missed at MCC.
Mary Sadler
So sad to hear of Maureen’s passing. I worked with her at MCC for many years. I have fond memories of going to “building 10” for many reasons. Most times I would pop my head into her office for a quick hello and would find much time would have passed and she would have gone through the updates on all my children. Lover her smile and laugh! May she Rest In Peace!
So sorry to hear the sad news about Maureen. I worked with Maureen for almost twenty years. I will never forget the help Maureen gave me when I started my job at MCC. Having been away from the work force for years I wasn’t really feeling that confident. Maureen put me at ease with her help at getting me acclimated to my new job.
I recognize much of what her family included in their lovely tribute and I hope all of their memories of her give them peace.
With sympathy,
Donna Fitzgerald
I’m very saddened to hear of Maureen’s passing, we spent many years working in different departments in Bldg 10. She was such a kind and friendly person, always had a few minutes for a chat or to help with a purchasing issue. My sincere condolences to her husband and lovely family. It’s been a while since I last saw her, due to my retirement, but she is remembered very fondly. RIP, sweet lady.
Barb Anderson