Judith "Judy" Lane Schroeter

Judith “Judy” Lane Schroeter, 95, of Hingham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 19, 2025. She was the beloved wife of 73 years, of the late Paul W. Schroeter.

Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Judy lived most of her younger life in Rockport, Ma near the historic family homestead, Seaview Farm. Her love of gardening and being outside started at a young age on that farm, playing with cousins and helping with chores. Judy graduated from Gloucester High and attended Jackson University (Tufts) graduating in 1951. She married Paul, the love of her life, a week after her graduation. They began their family in Ipswich, Ma. before settling on the family farm in Essex, where they built their home and raised their three children.

Along with supporting Paul’s career as a dentist, Judy devoted herself to education, first volunteering and substitute teaching in the Essex schools before becoming a tutor at Landmark School, where she worked with children with learning disabilities. She then joined the Gloucester school system where she continued her work in special education for 10 more years. Her natural teaching attributes of excellent communication skills, empathy, patience and the ability to build strong relationships went far beyond the classroom and was inherent in all of her life's work.

After retiring, Judy and Paul turned their energy to their shared love of the outdoors. They planted hundreds of Christmas trees on the farm, running a Christmas tree farm for many years alongside a lovely antique store, Country Corner Antiques. Judy’s taste in antiques, her work ethic and entrepreneurial skills made both businesses successful for many years and she loved pursuing these passions on the family farm.

Judy also found the time and energy to embrace the artistic world of painting. Her paintings were lovely, capturing the essence of light outdoors, and mostly of landscapes, the world she loved to be in. Her work – and the camaraderie and shared life experiences of her painting circle, the Confetti Girls – became an important part of her later years.

Judy and Paul also shared a love of travel, exploring the world together with family and friends. Throughout their lives, they pursued their mutual love of outdoor activities - skiing, tennis, gardening and golf, often with their children.

In 2010, they moved to Linden Ponds in Hingham, Massachusetts where Judy quickly immersed herself in community life. She joined the Art Council, participated in the Lifelong Learning Program and enjoyed bridge, golf, and gardening, and above all, cherished the many friendships she made there.

Above all else, Judy’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, whose warmth, generosity, and love enriched the lives of all who knew her. She lived by the belief “Friends fill your life with joy, your soul with sunshine and your heart with love", a sentiment reflected in the many long and deep friendships she had in her lifetime.

Judith is survived by her three children, Peter Schroeter of Kennebunk, Maine, Nancy Werner of Scituate, Massachusetts, and John Schroeter of Grand Rapids, Michigan; as well as her grandchildren, Derek, Megan, Kate, Emily, Hannah, Julia, Andie, and Ingrid; and great-grandchildren, Isla, Aiden, and twin great-grandchildren, Parker and Ada.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Essex County Greenbelt Association, 82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, Ma. 01929.