Judith Bourne Newbold died Jan. 20 in Keene, N.H, with family by her side.

She had lived a full and interesting life, was a world traveler, lover of literature, music, and gardening, and was an exceptional mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

Born on April 19, 1938, Judy was the third of the three children of Donald Bourne and Meredith Wilson Bourne, of Summit, N.J. She graduated from Concord Academy in 1955 and Vassar College in 1959, with a degree in English. College sparked a lifelong appreciation of literature and she remained a voracious reader.

In 1959, she married John Lowe Newbold of Washington, D.C., known to all as Jock. They raised three children, beginning in Norfolk, Va., where Jock was stationed in the Navy, and later in Summit, where they established their own roots in Judy’s childhood hometown. Jock was a banker at Citibank. In 1972, the family embarked for Tokyo, when Jock was transferred. After nearly two years in Tokyo, the family went to Singapore for two years, and then returned to the States in 1976. The family traveled widely across the globe during those years, and Judy handled raising three kids in these distant places with her characteristic curiosity and openness. Many relationships that she formed during these years continued throughout the rest of her life.

After returning to Summit and eventually emptying the nest, in 2001 Judy and Jock moved into Greenwich Village in New York city, retiring to the bustle of city life, where she sang in the Canterbury Choir, studied and taught at the New School, and continued her lifelong passion for the Metropolitan Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2019, Judy moved to an assisted living facility in Keene, N.H., near her son Mike and his family.

The Vineyard was central to Judy’s life for nearly 50 years. Beginning around 1970, Judy and her family discovered the wild beauty of Chilmark and fell in love. In 1978, she and Jock bought a small house on Abel’s Hill, which they later expanded. Having spent many summers on Cape Cod earlier in her life, the Vineyard spoke to her differently. She was attracted by its simplicity and its commitment to preserving land, and tradition. She especially liked the Chilmark dress uniform of jeans and T-shirts, along with sandy feet and wet dogs. She and her grandchildren combined on many blue ribbons at the Ag Fair. She believed in the therapeutic qualities of ocean water.

She loved nature and the environment, getting down in the dirt and growing beautiful things, and had encyclopedic knowledge of botany. She was dedicated to her family and friends, and helping people less advantaged than her. She devoted many hours to the Newark Conservancy, Meals on Wheels, and volunteered with Hospice Care. She brightened many events with her stunning flower arrangements.

She also courageously endured a lifelong affliction with Crohn’s disease, including numerous surgeries and hospitalizations. The disease eventually cost her vision in one of her eyes, but she never let this, or anything, stand in the way of her enjoying life to the fullest and sharing her exuberance with friends and family.

She will be remembered as a fiercely loyal and loving friend, a lover of all dogs, a person of great knowledge and curiosity, and a sympathetic soul who would always be there for anyone in need.

She is survived by her three children: Jennifer Newbold, Timothy Newbold and wife Lisa Yang, and Michael Newbold and wife Beth; grandchildren Kate, Julia, Nick, Carly and Molly Newbold; and brother Donald Bourne. Her husband Jock and brother Robert Bourne predeceased her.

A celebration of life will be held on March 20 in a virtual format.

Donations can be made to the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, 57 David Ave, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.