Judith A. Lindstedt

Judith was the daughter of the late Eleanor (Lehtonen) Lindstedt and Uuno Lindstedt and cousin to the late Oscar Lehtonen. 

Judith is survived by her cousin Ernest Lehtonen of Westminster. She is survived by her dogs Broadway and Jussi and her magnificent cat Boo! They were lovingly referred to as her boys

 Judith took great pride in her Finnish Heritage. She was a longtime member of the Saima Park Finnish Center in Fitchburg. She treasured life and knowledge of its many gifts. She was interested in learning about anything and everything! She spoke English, Finnish and French Many friends from all over the World from different walks of life admired and respected her many talents. She was a mentor to many.

 As a young woman, her charisma and dance ability led her to study in New York City with renowned instructors. She attended classes where only a certain few were accepted! Her top-notch skills brought her to experience a Touring Company that performed throughout Europe, The Far East, Lebanon (when it was considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth) and more! She studied in Paris with Marcel Marceau – one of the few people in the World to hear him speak while teaching his class!

 From Goddard College VT she received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. From Fitchburg State University she earned her Master of Education (MEd), Creative Arts in Education and Certificate Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS), Counseling Psychology/Communications Media Management TV producer, director, actor, choreographer, and television host. A member of Actors’ Equity Assn., performing in productions of “Guys and Dolls” and “Milk and Honey” 

Writer and Director of “Entertaining the Troops!” for The AmeriiCulture Arts Festival. Choreographer: “Brigadoon”, “Carousel”, “Brel”, “Oklahoma”. Director: “Anything Goes”. Host: “Talkin Turkey” Producer: An UnCommon View ` full of diverse topics that brings to its audience an experience and view not normally conveyed by commercial media. 

 As Executive Producer at ZZ Creative Video Productions, she was the creator of many documentary films. Her films focused on community arts leaders including Miriam Lehto, Marion Rice, Robert Cormier, Rick Stepton and Don Featherstone. Because of her love for animals, especially horses, they played major roles in many of her films including Horse and Hearth; Fitchburg’s Colonial Period and Heartfelt Memories; The Legacy of the Crocker Women of Fitchburg. Judith’s documentaries were aired on her weekly program “An UnCommon View “on Fitchburg Access Television, Leominster Access Television and Lunenburg Access Television. Judith was a member of the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance and received a number of grants from local cultural councils. She was selected by the Massachusetts Cultural Council for a major grant in 2022. Her legacy of films remains accessible online.

 Judith choreographed numerous musical theatre productions. She was truly grateful to her cast members for “giving her what she wanted” from their performance! She taught dance and movement classes for Seniors in Lunenburg and Townsend and in the ALFA Program at Fitchburg State University. She ‘created’ extraordinary projects with pride, conviction, exquisite style and grace! Always contributing a special finesse! She was always searching for her next project!

Judith was employed at Fitchburg State University in the Student Activities Office for several years. Upon her retirement, she worked at the Fitchburg Art Museum in Visitors Services.

 She took riding lessons at Mesa Farm on her favorite horse Gypsy who lived to be thirty-eight and made films about the Dale Perkins Horse Show and the annual Living Nativity.

 She traveled by train to Linton, North Dakota, to film the Nokota Horses which are descended from Sitting Bull’s War Ponies. She interviewed Leo and Frank Kuntz whose lifetime efforts have preserved the breed. The Nokota Horses were rescued from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

  In recent years she learned the skill of massaging horses! Her time with the horses became her very favorite time. Her mind and heart lived there! 

 A Celebration of Judith’s Life will take place on her birthday Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 1:00 PM …a Coffee Social at the Finnish Center of Saima Park 67 Scott Rd Fitchburg, MA 01420S

Memorial contributions may be made to: Shirley Veterinary Clinic, 38 Parker Road, Shirley, MA 01464 Attn: Veterinarian Bill Norelli Please reference in memory of Judith Lindstedt.

 She will dance again in Paradise! She lives in our hearts.