Amy Jimmy Maxwell, who was born Amy Caroline Kuntz, died on May 15, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Paul George and Marie Westbrook Kuntz on January 14, 1960. Amy was raised in Windsor, Connecticut where she attended St. Gabriel School and Windsor High School. She graduated as valedictorian of the Windsor High School Class of 1978 and the Trinity College Class of 1983. Immediately following her graduation from college, Amy worked as a Spanish teacher and house parent at the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut.
Amy was accepted to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island to study Spanish and Italian. Amy loved living in Providence, making her life there. She earned her Master’s Degree in Hispanic Studies from Brown University in 1987 focusing on the Golden Age of Spanish Literature. Amy remained at Brown University as a teaching fellow for many years while pursuing her doctorate, specializing in Catalan Spanish and it’s feminist voice. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Amy was also an advanced student of Latin, French, Italian and had a conversational knowledge of German and numerous other languages. As a young woman, she managed several international conferences and traveled extensively in Europe, Mexico and the United States making numerous friends, including Allegra and Laura. In addition to her work at Brown University, Amy worked for many years at Day One, a daycare. Amy loved being around children.
Amy had a beautiful singing voice and loved music of all kinds. In high school, Amy participated in the folk group at her home parish in Windsor. She was also a member of the choir at Trinity College. Throughout her life Amy sang at many weddings of family and friends including her dear friends, Karen and Ray.
After a number of health challenges, Amy suspended her doctoral studies to focus on her health. Despite this, Amy volunteered at the Rhode Island Free Clinic and the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she managed the playroom on the Oncology Ward. She was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the Rhode Island State Legislature for her work at both the Free Clinic and the Children’s Hospital. Amy also earned her Medical Interpreting Certificate and functioned as a volunteer interpreter for many years. Active in Amnesty International, Amy met the love of her life, Dennis Richards, seventeen years ago. They have been constant companions since that time and Amy’s siblings are grateful for the care Dennis took of their sister as she bravely managed her Parkinson’s Disease for many years.
Amy loved Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson, studying Henry VIII and his wives and sea life. She was a frequent visitor to Mystic Aquarium, where she loved the Seal Show, the Penguin Exhibit, the sea lions and the Arctic Coast Exhibit. But by far Amy’s favorites were the four Beluga Whales, all of which she knew by name. One of Amy’s most treasured memories was of her Beluga whale encounter at Mystic Aquarium with her nieces, Melissa and Rebecca. She believed in social justice and fought for the rights of the oppressed through her extensive volunteer work.
To celebrate her life Amy leaves her longtime companion, Dennis Richards, many friends across the country and the world and her five siblings and their families: Catherine and David Jourdan (Elizabeth Jourdan and Matthew Murphy), Nancy Ryan (Michael Ryan and Britt Harlow-Olivia and Charlotte; Christopher and Rebecca Ryan-Avery and Evan; Jennifer and Ryan Gray-Logan and Addison), Dr. Lisa Kuntz and Dr. Billie McNealey; Barbara and Donald Trinks (Melissa Trinks; Rebecca and Todd DeWald-Harper), Paul Kuntz, Jr. and Susan Lane (Kelsey Lane-Clarissa; Jamie Lane). Amy kept pictures of all her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and the children of her many friends. She greatly enjoyed following their lives.
The family thanks the outstanding direct care staff at Waterview Villa and Continuum Hospice, especially Amy’s nurses and CNAs; Bernard, Kristen, Mimi, Maria, Chloe (Waterview) and LeeAnne, April, Brandon, Wendy, Dawn, Nicole and Stacy (Continuum). Special thanks to Amy’s Continuum CNA, Janet. Janet’s love and attention made a world of difference in Amy’s life. We knew we could always reach out to Evan (Waterview Social Worker) and Sara ( former Waterview Admissions Director) any time we had a concern. We could always depend on these people to keep Amy safe and keep us informed about how she was doing when we could not be there.
NO flowers please. Instead, please make donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, New York, 10163 or the donor’s favorite charity. Amy would really appreciate those donations. In Amy’s honor, please wear your favorite t-shirt to her services. Amy loved t-shirts and had many she bought in support of causes and places that meant a lot to her.
Family and friends are invited to gather at the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence, Rhode Island on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 11 am to 1 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday June 3, 2026, at 11:00am in Saint Damien of Molokai Parish/Saint Gabriel Church, 379 Broad Street, Windsor, Connecticut. Followed by a reception in the Church Hall. www.rebellofuneralhomes.com
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