Judith A. (Lapham) Norton of Edgartown died on March 25.

Judy was born April 9, 1937 to Mildred and Arnold Lapham of Carlisle, where she came home to an older sister, best friend and lifelong confidant, Marcia J. Hagman of Lyndon, Vt., better known as CAM (Crazy Aunt Marcia) to her nieces and nephews. They were joined soon after by her brother Taylor A. Lapham of Quemado, N.M. Judy had a love for babies from an early age, and Taylor became the perfect opportunity to hone her mothering skills. She attended Concord Carlisle Regional High School, where she excelled in school and many activities, including serving as vice president of her freshman class as well as being named queen of her senior prom. One of her favorite activities was playing the drums in the school band. After graduation she continued to live in Carlisle and began her administrative career as a secretary for MIT Lincoln Lab, where she worked on many interesting projects. If you asked her which one she remembered most it was meeting and working for Wernher von Braun on the B2 Ballistic Missile project. Her last job was in retail for the Fresh Produce store in downtown Edgartown, where she enjoyed interacting with everyone that came in. Even if you didn’t leave with a bag she made sure you left with the knowledge that “Jesus loves you.”

Judy met the love of her life, Allen W. Norton, while vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard with her sister Marcia in 1956.They were married two years later and spent 60 years together, first at their home on Mullen Way and then out at Oyster Pond, where they raised their three children and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Judy loved being a mother and could always be found engaging with her children in their many activities. One of her favorites was being a barn mother at both Scrubby Neck and Bittersweet farms. Her natural and abiding love for children had her overjoyed to become a “Nunnie” to her grandchildren. She also loved her great-grandchildren and was excited about adding to more to her circle of love in May.

She was first and foremost a lover of Jesus Messiah and would not hesitate to tell anyone she met, whether you asked or not, that was where her daily strength came from, especially in the last years of her life. Judy had many caregiving angels, from her nieces Debbie Scott, Lisa White, Shauna Smith and Toni Hanover and her late in life almost-daughters Lisa Ann Reich and Chrissy McCarthy, to her beloved Meg Verette from Hospice, church family members and numerous doctors and nurses at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital

Judy faced challenges with strength, dignity and a smile on her face believing that each doctor’s visit or hospitalization was an opportunity to share her love for Jesus.

Her faith brought her joy and hope. She did not hesitate to lift her eyes up to the mountains where she knew her help would come from the maker of heaven and earth. She was a worship leader at Faith Community Church for many years and spent the last few years of her life using her beautiful alto voice to praise God and to inspire many at the Beacon of Hope Church in Edgartown with her strength and resilience.

She is survived by her husband and two daughters: Melissa Norton Vincent and her husband Edward W. Vincent Jr. of Edgartown, and Rachel Norton Boone and her husband Darris Boone of Gretna, Neb. She was predeceased by a son, Mark B. Norton of East Falmouth. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Cameron Boone, Morgan Boone, Justin Boone, Taylor A. Eppers, Chase N. Eppers, Peter N. Vincent, Eve L. Vincent Codding, Katherine H. Vincent, Stephanie M. Priore and Sarah V. Vincent, and four great-grandchildren.

The Norton family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate her life in a memorial service on Saturday, April 7 at 1 p.m. at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs, preceded by visiting hours with the family at noon. Interment will follow in the New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.

Donations in her name may be made to Beacon of Hope Church, P.O. Box 2582, Edgartown MA, 02539.