Derrie A. Proctor

Derrie Anne Proctor, 64, of East Lyme, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in New London on January 22, 1962, she was the daughter of Marion and Richard Frink of East Lyme.

Derrie was an East Lyme girl through and through. She lived her entire life in the town she loved and spent her working years at Yankee Clippers, the Fish Market, and the Shack Restaurant. She was a simple woman who didn't need much to be happy—just good people, good memories, and preferably a day at McCook's Beach, especially down by the rocks.

In her younger years, Derrie could be found bowling or roller skating. As the years went on, her greatest joys became spending time with the people she loved. She especially adored her grandchildren and enjoyed cooking for her family. After the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Tina, Derrie made one of the greatest sacrifices of her life: she gave up the retirement she had worked toward to raise and care for her grandchildren. Without hesitation, she put their needs before her own and devoted herself to giving them a loving home, stability, and the childhood they deserved. It was a true reflection of the selfless woman she was.

Derrie is predeceased by her daughter, Tina Proctor, and leaves behind her husband, Ricky Proctor; her son, James Proctor, and his wife, Colleen; her grandchildren, Gabriel Pluss, Marcus Hurdle, Serenity Hurdle, Henry Proctor, and Levi Proctor; her aunt, Barbara Kiley; her sisters, Carleen and Barbara Frink; and her nieces and nephew, Leah, Alicia, Brittany, Emily, and Jonathan, along with many friends and extended family members.

Derrie lived a simple, beautiful life. She was deeply selfless, always putting the people she loved before herself, and she found her greatest happiness in simply being together. She loved her family, her hometown, her beach, and all the little moments that made life special. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose generous heart touched so many lives.

East Lyme was home. Family was everything. And McCook's Beach will never quite be the same without her.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, September 3, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Service in Niantic, Connecticut. Celebration of life details will follow the calling hours 6:30-8:30. Additional details will be shared at the calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Derrie's memory to help ease the financial burden of her end-of-life expenses. Those wishing to honor Derrie may contribute through her family's GoFundMe: Help Us Honor Derrie Proctor https://gofund.me/f1bfda625