Judith Clemence Brownell

Judith Clemence Brownell, 81 of South Dartmouth, MA., passed away peacefully at her home on January 4th, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of the late Maurice and Gwendolyn Clemence of Wellesley, MA. She was predeceased by her sister Cynthia Dervin of Winston Salem, NC. Born on March 12, 1939 in Newton, MA.

A graduate of Wellesley High School, Wheaton College (class of 1960) and Boston University, where she received her master’s degree in musical theory.

Music was the anchor to her soul. She devoted her life to educating and sharing this passion with others. She expressed no greater joy than to have worked with many talented musicians and singers in her musical career.

Professionally, Judith’s passion for music led her to teaching at Friends Academy, and in the Dartmouth Public School system. For almost three decades she was the Music Director at the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford. Her deepest passion was playing the Flentrop organ and performing classical music with fellow singers. Judith also served as Director for the New Bedford Choral Society and was the Musical Director of the Woods Hole Cantata Consortium for many years.

Judith was also a talented researcher and formed a self-employed business as a title examiner. She was often found working on complex and historic properties that required delving into the earliest records of Bristol and Dukes County.

Her love of the earth molded her into an ardent environmentalist. In concert the Dartmouth Conservation Commission, she was engaged in wetlands protection projects and preservation of historic conservation and agricultural lands. She was also a long term Dartmouth town meeting member.

Judith leaves behind her two sons whom she loved deeply; Canby Dautel Jr. of Southborough, MA, and his wife Rhaea Photopoulos-Dautel. Peter B. Dautel, of South Dartmouth, MA., and his fiancee, Rachel C. Gauthier. Her grand children Kevin Dautel, Emily Dautel, Alyson Dautel, and Sienna Dautel. Her brother in law Jim Dervin, and her beloved niece and nephews Anne, John, and Jamie Dervin.

She leaves behind many beloved people including her first husband Canby Dautel, Sr. and her second husband David A. Brownell.

Funeral services will not be held at this time due to COVID restrictions. Future arrangements for a celebration of life service will be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust in So. Dartmouth, MA., 318 Chase Rd., No. Dartmouth 02747, or via www.DNRT.org. Alternatively to the restoration and maintenance project of the Flentrop organ, at the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, 71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA. 02740. Arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth. For online tributes, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com