Marlborough – Judith A. (Pierce) McManus, of Marlborough, died on March 3, 2021 after a long illness. She was 84 and died amidst family and friends in her own home.
Judy was born in Fitchburg to lifelong residents Rodney C. and Lillian (Toomey) Pierce. She was educated in Fitchburg’s parochial schools and graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1954 with honors. She attended Fitchburg State College and graduated with a teaching degree in 1958.
She worked part-time in various local businesses, including Enright’s Pharmacy, where she met her husband-to-be, Edward, and began a long relationship that blossomed into a 61-year marriage.
She is survived by her husband, Edward, and four of her five children and their spouses, Edward II and his wife Kimberly of Londonderry, N.H., Mary McManus van Lingen and her fiancé Norman Karloff of Marlborough, Timothy and his wife Megan of Shrewsbury, and Kerry McManus Tasso and her husband Joseph of Hollis, N.H. She was also the mother of the late Kathleen McManus, who died at 14 months in 1962. She also leaves 12 grandchildren, Kevin and Andrea McManus, Julia van Lingen, Jonathan van Lingen, Lillian, Sam, Margaret, Nick, and Ryan McManus, and Kathryn, Joseph, and Kristina Tasso; her brother, Robert Pierce of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Judy led a full life and never let her chronic Crohn’s Disease slow her down, despite numerous hospitalizations and surgeries. After college graduation, she taught in Springfield. When her husband, Edward, was sent to Ft. Knox, Ky., she went with him and taught in the post’s U.S. Army dependents school system.
In 1967 they moved to Marlborough, and Judy taught music at Immaculate Conception School and was Musical Director for that church. She later joined the staff at St. Matthias Church, also in Marlborough, where she enjoyed a 30-year career as Musical Director under the Archdiocese of Boston. She took numerous advanced musical and liturgy courses, was a cantor and soloist, and sung at many weddings and funeral ceremonies.
When her husband Edward was running corporate executive and recognition meetings around the world, Judy accompanied him for 20 years of travel and adventure throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the major cities of Europe.
In between times, they bought an old Victorian house along the coast of York, Maine and rebuilt it. Judy designed and furnished the house inside and out. It is still the center of family summertime activity.
Judy will be remembered as the unique wife, mother, grandmother, and professional that she was. She was a strong-willed and loving individual who never compromised her principles. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.
A funeral Mass for Judy will be held at a later date.
