Judith “Dusty” Jewitt Boynton passed away peacefully June 14, 2026, at her home in Hyde Park, Vermont, at the age of 90.
To know Dusty was to feel like you were her best friend. She had a wonderful and robust laugh, a smile that lit up every room and an enthusiasm for life that was impossible to ignore. She loved deeply, gave generously and approached everything she did with boundless energy and passion.
Whether she was mastering yoga, repainting yet another room in the house, tending to a new project on the property or surprising everyone with her ability to yodel, she embraced life with curiosity, determination and joy.
One of Dusty’s greatest gifts was her ability to seemingly become an expert at anything that captured her interest. Nowhere was this more evident than in her career as an artist. After honing her skills as a miniaturist, she began painting at the age of 52. She noted at that time, what emerged on the paper “looked like it was done by a 5-year-old.” Yet just one year later, her work was being exhibited and reviewed by The New York Times, which described her paintings as having “a childlike style that isn’t childish.”
Even if she appreciated the accolades, Dusty painted for a much simpler reason: it grounded her and brought her joy. She followed her instincts, her heart and her imagination, allowing each painting to become whatever it wanted to be.
Dusty shared a remarkable love story with her husband, Sam, the love of her life, until his passing in 2018. Together they created a beautiful life, first in New Jersey and later in Hyde Park, Vermont, where they built their dream home in the early 1990s. Anyone fortunate enough to visit knew immediately that it was a special place. The house reflected everything Dusty and Sam were: warm, welcoming and full of life. Filled with art, antiques and surrounded by gardens and sweeping mountain views, it was a gathering place where friends and family felt instantly at home.
Connected to the house was Dusty’s beloved studio, with its soaring ceilings and abundant light. There she spent countless happy hours creating, while Sam read peacefully or tended to the fields outside. It was a partnership built on love, respect and the simple joy of sharing a life together.
Above all else, Dusty will be remembered for the way she made people feel. She had a rare ability to make everyone around her feel seen, valued and loved. Her generosity knew no bounds, and her optimism, warmth and laughter left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Dusty was so blessed to have had a group of incredibly caring people looking after her in the last years of her life. It was a beautiful way to conclude a beautiful life in a home that Dusty loved. Dusty’s family is deeply grateful for that and to Lamoille Home Health & Hospice for being the angels that they are.
Dusty is survived by her children, whom she loved with all her heart: Paul Stout of Rumson; L. Stout; Burr Boynton of Boise, Idaho; and Susan Boynton of Dorset, Vermont; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her so much joy.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Dusty’s memory to Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, whose compassionate care allowed her to remain in the home she loved. Donations can be made online at lhha.org/donate or mailed to Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, 54 Farr Ave., Morrisville, VT 05661. Memorial gifts help ensure that other families receive the same exceptional care and support.
The article originally appeared in the July 16 – 22, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
