Judy Atkinson Dreis

Our beloved and beautiful mother, Judy Atkinson Dreis, sadly passed away at her home on October 16, 2023, while surrounded by those closest to her and embraced with love. She fought a brief but difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in North Carolina in 1942, Judy spent her formative years in the Thomasville and Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point) region where she graduated from High Point High School in 1960. After High School, she attended Montreat-Anderson College in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Montreat, NC.

In 1963, near Montreat, she met Walter Dreis, Jr. who was on a liberty pass from Fort Bragg. Later that year she married Walt and moved to California which became her home state for the rest of her life. Walt and Judy were happily married for nearly 50 years before Walt’s passing.

Judy lit up every room with her sunny smile and always knew how to make people feel loved. She was a dedicated wife and mother foremost but enjoyed a variety of roles in the workplace. She held positions at Lakeside Union School District, the United States Census, El Dorado College, and the East County Chamber of Commerce where she was fondly called “The Voice of East County.”

Judy was a lifelong cultivator of experiences. She had a curious mind and sharp intelligence. She was always looking for the next adventure, going to a concert, attending a play, or planning a vacation.

Judy will forever be remembered as a smart, vivacious, lovely “Southern” lady. She touched many lives, and we are devastated by her loss. She was loved and her unique and enchanting soul will be missed by all who knew her.

Judy is survived by her daughters Nicole Dreis Rockstead and Denise Dugan; her son-in-law Matthew Dugan; her beloved granddaughters Avalon Rockstead and Scout Dugan; her sister Susan Cook; brother-in-law Larry Cook; sister-in-law Carroll Dreis; nephew Rustin Holec; nieces Heidi Sam, Jan Sterrett, Michelle Trent, Tonia Cook and Karen Cook; great-nieces/nephews Breanna Miller, Maggie Hester, Avery Hester, Marty Hester and Kayleigh Hester. She was preceded in death by her son, Derek Dreis in 2009 and her husband, Walter Dreis Jr. in 2012. Services will be held privately.

Judy’s wish in lieu of public services would be a contribution to aid in the research and cure of pancreatic cancer. There has been little to no advances in treating this horrible disease in the last 12 years. Donations and gifts can be made in honor of Judy at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network http://support.pancan.org/goto/teamwaltandjudy or American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com for the Dreis family.