A graveside service for Judy Ann Guptill Royce, 73 from Owls Head, who passed away, August 7, 2020, will be held Sunday, August 7, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Seaview Cemetery, Tenants Harbor.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

HOPE — Judy Ann Guptill Royce, 73 from Owls Head, passed peacefully, at the home of her daughter Lisa Pendleton, surrounded by her family in an unbreakable circle of love, August 7, 2020.

Born in Rockland, Maine January 17, 1947 Judy was the first child of Walter Earl Guptill of Owls Head, and Barbara Louise Morris Guptill of Tenant’s Harbor. Judy attended Owls Head Central School, Rockland Junior
High School and Rockland District High School.

As a child Judy grew up “on the hill” in Owls Head, where she had a lot of family and many friends to play with. She was active in Brownie Scouts, cheerleading, and was remembered as an excellent softball player. Judy also loved to dance and in her teen years and often attended dances at Newbert’s Barn in Thomaston with her cousin Dianne and friends. Some of her fondest memories of childhood were spending time at the beach swimming in Owls Head, “snitching” an apple from her Gram Guptill’s apple tree, swimming across Tenant’s Harbor to Blueberry Cove Camp from her grandfather’s wharf, and the beach, and cookies and Hawaiian Punch during overnights at her grandmother and grandfather Thompson’s home in Martinsville.

Like her parents who met at a dance hall in Spruce Head, Judy would meet her future husband and soul mate at a dance. Judy, along with her childhood friend Sandra Elliott, were at the Rockland Rec Center, when across the basketball court dance floor, the cute little cheerleader spied the handsome boy from Rockland’s south end.

Judy quipped to her friend Sandy, “that’s the one! I’m going to marry him!” And so, it would be that on February 1, 1965 the two young teens, Judy and Bob would marry at the home of her parents in Owls Head. Maybe at the time some thought they were being foolish; others said that he was just wild and free. They wondered how together they could promise that the love they felt would forever be? But together, through ups and downs, challenges and victories, promises broken and promises kept; they forged a love that would last for 55 years… yes, truly a love “Forever and Ever, Amen!”

For the most part, Judy was a stay at home mom caring for her three children while her husband, Bob, fished for many years out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Outside of the home, Judy did waitress work and many from the area will remember her working at the Rockland Café, a job she very much enjoyed. Judy was a loving and caring Mom, a fierce defender of her children, and beautiful homemaker for her family. As an older sister Judy often took care of her three younger siblings and was a second mother to all of them as they were growing up. Judy was all about family; there was nothing in the world more important to her than her family, and as it grew from children to grandchildren to great-grandchildren, nothing filled her life with more joy. Daughter, Sister, “Poody”, Mom, Auntie and “Nana Christmas”; of all these titles the one she relished most was “Maw-Maw.”

Judy was the epicenter of her family and she leaves behind a circle of loved ones that will keep her memory alive for the many generations to come. There are no words strung together that can truly capture the essence of what made Judy the life force that she was or describe the place she captured in our hearts and the relationships she had. Every relationship was unique, special, one-on-one, sincere, and custom made. Her friends and family will remember her as a peacemaker and fierce protector. Someone who was always in their corner!

She had an infectious laugh, an unforgettable smile, gave great big bear hugs and had the best cuddles for her grandchildren. She wanted people to live their lives, have no regrets, and do what made them happy. Judy was proud to be a friend of Bill W and helped many people as a friend and sponsor. Most importantly, Judy lived her life as she died, on her own terms, with dignity, grace and an unconditional love for her family and friends.

Judy was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Patricia of Owls Head; brother-in-law, Neal “Beaver” Kenney of Rockland; and Cousin Donald “Tink” Bergren of Owls Head.

In addition to her husband of 55 years, Robert Royce, Judy is survived by her children, Lisa (Donald) Pendleton of Hope, Marcia Kenny and partner Craig Davis of Rockland, Robert Royce, Jr. and partner Ashley Aiken of Spruce Head; seven grandchildren, Keely (Bradley) Held, Kayla (Ivan) Bragg, Jannika (True) Bragg, Jacob (Seanna) Pendleton, Kelsey Royce and partner Mason Maitre, Kane (Brooke) Royce, and Robert Royce III and partner Caitlin Schmill, and due in November, grandchild number eight, Kaia Jude Cutler Royce; ten great–grandchildren, Isabella, Brinley, Layla, Liam, Landrie, Sienna, Crew, Eva, Beckham, and Ivory Ann, (born on Judy’s birthday, January 17, 2020); sister Marcia Guptill of Owls Head, brother Walter (Lisa) Guptill of South Thomaston, and sister Jane (David) Vester of Cocoa Beach, FL; sister and brothers-in-law, Lucy Curtis of Rockland, David Kenney of Rockland, Susan (Kevin) Kelley of Spruce Head and Dianna (Larry) Trueman of St. George; special aunt and uncle Donald and Cora Bergren of Owls Head; cousins, John (Karen) Bergren of Brunswick, Dianne (Ronald) Linscott of Rockland; dear and special friends Debra “Doodle Bug” Watson and “Sweet” Deb Murray; along with many beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A private gathering of family and friends will be held to celebrate Judy’s life at the convenience of the family.

Interment will take place at Seaside Cemetery in Tenants Harbor at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home.

To share a memory or condolence with the Royce family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.