1963 – 2016
Woodstock Valley – Kerry Ann (Gurl) Northridge, 52, passed away at her home in Woodstock Valley, CT on Friday, April 15, 2016 after a brief illness. She is survived by her husband James B. Northridge and daughter Emma, both of Woodstock Valley and her parents Francis R. and Margaret (Reboulet) Gurl of Hudson, MA.
She was born in Melrose, MA and raised in Hudson. She attended local Catholic school, and graduated from Hudson Catholic High School in 1981. She attended Northeastern University and graduated from Babson College in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She earned her Jurist Doctorate degree from the University of CT School of Law in 1995. She worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and the law firm of Avis & McGrail. More recently she was a partner at Avis & Northridge. She prided herself on her knowledge of the law, and was always eager to share that knowledge with her colleagues and many friends of the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Bar.
Her greatest joy in life was her daughter Emma.
She is also survived by her three sisters: Peggy Gurl of Florida, Patty DeSantis and her husband Keith of Hudson, and Kathy Boutwell-Gibson and her husband Ken Gibson and their son Christopher Boutwell of Hudson. She was predeceased by her brother Fran.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Kerry’s family from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A gathering will begin in the funeral home on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 8:30AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Flowers may be sent, or honor her with a donation to the charity of your choice. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Megan O'Brien
I’m very saddened to hear about this loss. My condolences to Emma, Jim, and the rest of the family.
Trish Lindberg
Dear Jim and Emma,
My heart goes out to you at this sad time. I love you both very much and will do anything within my power to help you in this time of sadness and in the future.
Love,
Trish
Shelley Harvey
Jim, Emma, and family – I truly cannot express to you how incredibly sorry I am for the loss of Kerry/your mom. She truly was a legend at the Worcester DIA. Her laugh and smile were infectious. When I started workers’ compensation law as a young lawyer, she welcomed me with open arms and always was a wonderful mentor to me. Her courtroom demeanor was to the point and always effective. The judges and her colleagues all respected her. She was the go to person if you had a question about case law, the law, or anything workers’ compensation related. She cared for her clients and she was a wonderful advocate for them, always doing the right thing while being extremely respectful of opposing counsel. Quite simply, there will never be anyone like Kerry. I have never met a person like her in my life. What you saw was what you got. My heart breaks to think I will no longer see her at the DIA. Emma, you truly were the joy of her life. She talked about you all the time and was so proud of you and your accomplishments. I am truly sorry for the loss of such a special person.
Brenda (LaRose) Milhomme
Jim and Emma the LaRose family wishes you love, hugs and prayers during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love and memories you shared. We are here for you always! We are so very sorry for your loss.
Francis A. Ford
Kerry was a “lawyer’s lawyer” and a leader of the Workers Compensation Bar in the Commonwealth. She generously gave her time to mentor younger lawyers at the Department of Industrial Accident Board. She will be missed.
Our sincere condolences to Kerry’s family, colleagues and friends.
Francis Ford & Shirley Doyle
Past Presidents of the Worcester County Bar Association
Rich and Chris Lamothe
Jim and Emma,
Chris and I are so very sorry for the your loss of your wife and mother. We know it was not easy for you to live through this toward the end. Having to watch a loved one in a time like this is one of the hardest things you will ever have to witness, Emma I know it is very difficult to loose a mother at such an early time in her life and in yours. Be proud and strong knowing that your mother loved you very much and was so proud of who you have become. You are so fortunate to have your father with you at this sad time, I am not sure I have ever met anyone who gets so excited when it is time to pick up his precious daughter from school, he loves you unconditionally and please take strength from this as you go through this most difficult of time.
Our condolences to you both,
Rich and Chris
Mike Gough
Jim, Emma and family,
What a shock, just saw this posted by an HCH alum.
We didn’t see each other often over the years since high school. But, Kerry was always there to support the important events for my family and I, she was great.
My condolences to you and the family in this sad time.
Mike Gough
Dave Babbitt
Jim & Emma, Peg and I are very saddened by the passing of Kerry… We want you to know, that the both of you , as well as the rest of the family, are in our thoughts and prayers…May her soul be at rest…..Dave & Peg Babbitt
paul radzik
Dear Jim, Emma, Peggy and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Kerry was so loving, kind, caring, friendly and generous, just to name a few of her many qualities. This is truly the loss of a great person. We can’t thank your family enough for all that you did for us. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Paul, Lorinda, Kayla, and Thomas Radzik
Paula Macmillan
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Kerry Ann. She was always a bright light.
Know she is in a peaceful place and no more suffering.
Sincerely,
The MacMillan family
Margaret Abboud
Jim and Enma
I worked with Kerry back in the 80’s at Liberty Mutual. I always remember her kindness to asociates and that she shined through out her years as a lawyer . She advocated for her clients in a way of compassion that makes me speechless when describing her character to you
!
Love and kisses to you both of you and I am very sad for your loss. I will pray fur both of you at this time !
Margaret Abboud
Myrna
Dear Kerry’s family,
I was saddened to read the loss of your mom/wife in today’s T&G. My sincere condolences.
I will miss Kerry’s hearty & infectious laughter-her trademark. Such a good soul to chat with at the DIA office, and an amazing professional in her field.
Rest in peace Kerry,
Myrna
Eileen Thompson McAdoo
I am so sorry to hear about Kerry. We were childhood friends and I was in her Wedding. I have many fond memories of Kerry. She was so brilliant and a good friend. Sending love and prayers to Jim, Emma and the Gurl family.
Lori and Michael Akashian
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. A fine lawyer and a better person.
Frank Langlois
Jim & Emma,
Sorry to hear about this… Frank and I are here if you need anything! May God give you both the strength you need these next few days and may you have the peace in your hearts there after.
Frank & Charlene Langlois
Roger Lewenberg
Jim and Emma:
I met Kerry when I began as a Judge at the Worcester DIA in 1998. We shared stories of children and dogs. She was a great lawyer and a fine person. I enjoyed her laugh and always knew when she was in the building. I will miss her.
My sincere condolences.
Roger Lewenberg
Richard A. Morocco, Esq.
Please accept my sympathy. Kerry was my go-to person for WC law. I always got the feeling that my legal argument was well founded after speaking with Kerry Northridge.
Richard A. Morocco, Esq.
Carey Smith
Emma and Jim– I am so saddened to hear about the loss of Kerry. I knew her as a lawyer and, better still, as a person.What a wonderful person she was. Whenever I think of her I smile, because that’s the effect she had on people. I hope as time passes that you will smile again as you remember her.
Carey Smith (a/k/a Carey with a “C”, not Kerry with a “K”)
william C. Tatan
Dear Jim, Emma and Family:
My association with Kerry was through the Worcester Office of the DIA and because she was co-chairman of the Workers Compensation Committee of the Worcester County Bar Association. She had a warm welcoming way about her that made you feel part of the assembled group she was in. I always felt relaxed and at home when I heard her impulsive laugh at one of our meetings or in the Lawyers area of the Worcester Office. She was also an exemplary lawyer who made the workers Compensation Section of the Worcester County Bar Association such an exceptional professional organization.
You can always be proud of her accomplishments and the great regard in which she was held by the Worcester Legal Community.
William Tattan, General Counsel (Retired)
Mass. Department of Industrial Accidents
Bill Constantino
Sorry to learn of the learn of the loss of Kerry. I served as a judge at the DIA in Worcester and I was very fortunate to know Kerry well both as an attorney and as person. She was wonderful in so many ways. May she rest in peace.