Judith "Judy" Scully (Murphy), 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a strong and courageous battle with kidney disease and liver cancer.

Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Judy later relocated to Everett, Massachusetts in the early 1960s, where she built a life centered on family, resilience, and quiet strength.

Judy was the beloved daughter of the late James H. Murphy Sr. and Edna (Grimm) Murphy. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Joseph Scully Jr., with whom she shared 59 years of marriage until his passing in June 2024. She was also predeceased by her brothers, James Murphy Jr. and Donald Murphy, and her sisters, Helen Bonafice and Mary Fitchenmayer.

She is survived by her loving sister and best friend, Melissa (Florence) Smith, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved deeply and remained closely connected to throughout her life.

Judy's greatest pride and joy were her three daughters: Mary Scully and her fiancé David Scioletti, Linda Donahue and her husband Joseph, and Susan Petroni and her husband Richard. She was a devoted and proud grandmother to Jillian Neault and her husband Dennys Gonzalez, Allison Neault, and Isabella Petroni. Judy also adored her three "great grand-puppies," Marlo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker, who brought her so much joy. Judy raised strong, independent women, instilling in them the importance of respect, values, and personal responsibility, as well as the habit of making daily to-do lists to feel accomplished and purposeful each day—lessons that will carry on through generations.

Judy loved nothing more than celebrating holidays filled with food, games, laughter, music, and dancing. She was known for her silly glasses and festive headbands, bringing joy and humor to every gathering. If you were lucky enough to cross paths with Judy, you were greeted with a warm smile, a friendly wave, and genuine kindness—even if you were a stranger. When you entered Judy's home, you were often greeted with a hot cup of tea—whether you wanted one or not—because she was the ultimate hostess and made sure everyone felt cared for. One of her greatest gifts was her generosity, compassion, and her ability to show others the importance of connection.

Judy was deeply involved in her daughters' lives while they were growing up. She was a Girl Scout leader, a dedicated field trip mom, and a volunteer room mom—always present, always supportive. She loved shopping through every era—first in malls, then through catalogs, and later on QVC in the 1990s. In more recent years, she enjoyed shopping online on Amazon, often filling her cart with countless items—sometimes just for fun—and on one memorable occasion, she hit "order," leading to packages arriving at her door for days. There was always music playing in Judy's home, a deck of cards ready for a game of Gin Rummy, and in her later years, she loved taking selfies on her iPad—capturing moments, memories, and her signature joyful spirit.

Judy had a love for game shows and could often be found watching the Game Show Network, especially enjoying classics like "Press Your Luck"—always cheering, "No whammies!" right along with the contestants.

In her final years, Judy's strength and selflessness were truly inspiring. Despite attending dialysis three times a week for the past six years, facing a recent cancer diagnosis, and enduring significant health challenges, she rarely focused on her own struggles. Instead, she made the most of her time by revisiting cherished memories, reconnecting with loved ones, creating an online family tree, and crossing items off her bucket list.

Judy also loved trips to the casino, whether it was Foxwoods or Encore. Before heading in, she would often say, "Win big or go home!" She would often give her lucky family members an envelope to play along with her favorite Wheel of Fortune slot machines and to enjoy her signature drink—a vodka cranberry.

She shared many life lessons with her "girls," including her famous "dancing school rule"—don't say anything about anyone until you're in the car—a rule that continues to live on. Judy emphasized the importance of manners, always reminding those around her to say "please" and "thank you" to everyone, whether friend or stranger.

Judy had a deep love of food and introduced her daughters to her Pennsylvania favorites, including mint ginger ale and chipped ham. She especially loved anything lemon, took pride in baking sugar cookies, and enjoyed her coffee, chips, sweets, bacon, and cheese and crackers. She recently enjoyed smoked ribs lovingly prepared by her son-in-law Joe. She also loved dining out, with one of her favorite spots being The 621 in Malden. One of her favorite sayings was, "Take the bitter with the sweet."

Judy shared a special and loving relationship with Dave, often saying, "Thank you, Dave," for all the ways he helped her—whether it was something she needed or something she didn't even know she needed, including finding treasures for her on Facebook Marketplace.

A true "social butterfly," Judy made it a point to stay active and connected, always planning outings and enjoying life to the fullest. The butterfly became a symbol of her spirit—vibrant, free, and ever-present. She lived by the belief, "You can't say no until you try something at least one time."

Judy was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who loved deeply and touched countless lives. She was the "Queen" of her family and the glue that held everyone together.

Whenever you left Judy's home after a visit, she would always say, "Text me when you get home. Love you, bye." Her family will continue to make her proud, carrying forward her values, her traditions, and her love. She will forever be their number one angel, watching over them—and they will see her in the butterflies for years to come.

Love you, bye Queen.
"A mother's love is like a butterfly—soft, beautiful, and always hovering near the heart."

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Judith's visitation in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home,  65 Clark St.  (Corner of Main St.) Everett, Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m.  Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.