Judith Marie Durkin

February 19, 1940 – June 13, 2024

Judith (Judy) was born on February 19, 1940, in Waltham, Massachusetts to Juliette A. (Fluckiger) Carruthers and John P. Carruthers. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Frederick R. Durkin, children Marie Lewis and husband Denis of Sudbury MA, Leanne Feinberg and husband Harold of Eastham MA, Daniel Durkin and wife Wendy of Sudbury MA and was Mimi to her grandchildren Amanda Wilcinski Costolo (Robert), Stephen Wilcinski III (Jessica), Jonathan Lewis (Shauna), Catherine Lewis Coakley (Ryan), Conor Lewis, Brianna Durkin, Tyler Durkin and Ryan Durkin as well as six beautiful great-grandchildren. She also leaves her nephew (John) David Carruthers (Adrienne) of Lake Worth FL and niece Jennifer Carruthers of Colorado. She was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Jack (John) D. Carruthers and her beloved daughter Donna M. Durkin.

A lifelong resident of Waltham, Judy graduated from Waltham High School in1957 where she was the Class Secretary. She had many friends and acquaintances in high school and maintained lifelong friendships with some of them. She was also a cheerleader for the high school hockey team, where she first met Fred. After high school, she graduated from secretarial school and began work at the Raytheon Corporation until she and Fred were married and started their family. She took great pleasure in demonstrating her short-hand and typing skills to her children whenever asked.

Judy was the ultimate caregiver as anyone who knew her could attest. Her third child, Donna was born very prematurely and required constant, lifelong care. Her support and advocacy for Donna and her tenacity in seeking out and securing the care she needed was without compare. When Donna was older and semi-independent, Judy worked part time at the Minuteman Vocational High School, the Weston School Department and eventually as a medical office secretary. During this time, she also cared for her elderly parents in their later years, babysat her grandchildren, hosted events for friends and family, and planned family vacations. She embraced her life as it came to her regardless of the challenges and always with a smile.

Judy’s love of the Cape started as a child when she spent many a summer with her parents, brother and many friends camping at Nickerson State Park in Brewster MA. Her family went on to build a cottage in North Eastham where she continued to enjoy the outer Cape with her young and growing family spending many summers and school vacations at the ‘cottage’. As she and Fred approached retirement, they designed and built their own house using Judy’s desire to accommodate family and friends and Fred’s carpentry skills to create their dream home. They worked together for a few years to make it a reality, and to live in Eastham permanently at what has become the Durkin Compound, the ultimate destination for creating our lasting family memories.

Judy developed a love for flowers and gardening when Eastham became her forever home, spending many hours planting and tending her garden beds, containers and window boxes and establishing her yard as the prettiest on the street. As she and Fred settled into retirement, they would spend many an evening out enjoying dinner and drinks at the local establishments meeting up with new and old friends. Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar, the ‘Ho’, the Fairway, Double Dragon, and the Kitchen at Tern Inn were favorites. Judy was fond of saying that all she needed for a fun night out was “her lipstick and Fred”. Occasionally they would park at Rock Harbor for a romantic view of the sunset with the sunroof open, and then search out muffins and coffee for a night cap.

Mimi was adored by her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren. Her door was open to visitors whether young or old, and to the usual chaos that followed. Adventures with her family included being the first, first-mate on many a fishing expedition, heading out to the ‘boat beach’ for a day of sunshine and sandy heaven, fun trips to Provincetown and Chatham for lunch, dinner out just about anywhere, and an epic family trip to Italy in 2019. She was all-in 100 percent of the time and ready to ‘ding-em-up’ for whatever the occasion or just because her ‘peeps’ were with her. Judy was also Mimi to a far and wide network of surrogate children and grandchildren who often visited the Durkin Family compound and spent time chatting and laughing with her. They all have many a tale to share about their adventures with Mimi and Papa on a fun night out. Her often repeated “Mimi-isms” include her belief that ‘dirty ice’ was the best thing – never to be wasted, the call of the ‘weirdo’ birds in her yard, ‘Oh Fudge!”, “Okey, Dokey”, “Greetings from the Interior”, “Sauv with ice please!”, “Just give it the sniff test”, “Tough Beans!”, and her grandchildren’s favorite, “Hey sweetie!”. The list goes on and on. To her grandchildren specifically, some of whom now have their own children, she was a legend.

During the winter months, she and Fred would travel to her second favorite place, Marco Island, FL to enjoy the sunshine and meet new friends, maintaining those friendships for many years. Judy loved to host family and friends who would come to visit her and Fred on Marco. Whether spending time poolside or on the beach, and then enjoying happy hour at the Esplanade, she was always having as much fun as she did on the Cape.

And then there was Judy’s companion, Lewie the Pug on Wheels. Once again, Judy was called up as a caregiver when Lewie was diagnosed with a spinal condition as a puppy that left his back legs unusable. She wasn’t expecting to care for a disabled dog when she got him as a pup, but she rose to the challenge, without complaint. She loved to take him for walks at the Wiley Dog Park and visited the Brewster Dog Park almost every afternoon. Judy was known as the ‘mom of Lewie’, a minor doggie celebrity very recognizable in his cart. She loved the park and truly enjoyed her ‘human’ interactions as much as Lewie enjoyed his doggie park friends.

We as a family, would like to acknowledge and thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support as we grieve our loss of this wonderful lady. Judy always had a smile to give, a laugh to share, and a willingness to try anything if it involved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Sorting through our many pictures we see Judy smiling, laughing and enjoying herself completely. We love that it will be our most enduring memory of her. We miss her terribly.

Love you Lots!! J.

Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, June 26th from 11 AM - 1 PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans MA followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM. Burial will be held on Thursday, June 27th at 1:00 PM at Mt. Feake Cemetery, Waltham MA.

Our family requests that any donations made in memory of Judy be directed to:

Friends of Brewster Dog Park, Inc.

PO Box 2186

Brewster, MA 02631

Note: Donations can be accepted by check, mailed to the address above or made online at www.brewsterdogpark.com and www.facebook.com/Brewster.

Please be sure to earmark your donations “In Memory of Judy Durkin”, as all collected donations will go towards honoring her with a plaque placed at Brewster Dog Park.

Additional information can be requested by email at [email protected]