Julianne Benedict Derken, 78, of Madison Connecticut, passed away at St. Raphael in New Haven in the presence of her children on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Born April 3, 1940, she was the oldest of 6 children to Louis and Doris Benedict in Chicago, Il.
Julianne’s lifelong love of baseball, started during her youth watching the Cubs play during the summer months at Wrigley Field on Chicago’s North Side. She attended high school at Saint Scholastica and graduated from Mundelein College. On August 11, 1962, Julianne married the love of her life, Erich Martin Derken (deceased). The young couple immediately started a family and moved east finally settling in Madison.
She is survived by her 5 children and 13 grandchildren, Michael 54 (Kathy), Maryanne 53 (Robert), John 51 (Amy), James 50 (Kathy), and Kevin 44 (Heather), and her dog, Daisy.
In her 50’s, she received her nursing degree from the University of Bridgeport and worked as a nurse in Fairfield County. With a growing love of gardening, Julianne’s skill and knowledge with plants blossomed into legendary status. She was a Master Gardener and an avid photographer, and held memberships in the Madison Garden Club and Coastal Camera Club. Julianne cherished time with her large family, volunteered in the community, loved to travel, and was active in the Church. Julianne spent her days doing what she loved, and lived life to the fullest. And in the fall of 2016, the words “Cubs win, Cubs win” echoed out of her home as she witnessed them finally win the World Series.
Funeral services will be held at Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church (24 Academy Street, Madison CT) at 10 am Thursday, May 3rd. The family will be hosting calling hours at Swan Funeral Home (825 Boston Post Road, Madison CT) from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday May 2nd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Madison Land Conservation Trust.
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