Judy A. Duquette

Per Jesus’ last words on the cross, “IT IS FINISHED,” and so it is for a remarkable, loving woman, Judith Ann Middleton Duquette, whose legacy in her final years was to live with LOVE, HOPE and PRAYER. Over the last five years, Alzheimer’s slowly and mercilessly erased all Judy’s memories of the good times but failed to erase the bright smile and the gentle touch of her and her beloved husband (James Duquette) holding hands and leaning her head on his shoulder during her final weeks and days. Judy died peacefully at home with her family at her side on April 27, 2023, at the age of 75. So, as we see Judy for the last time at her eternal rest, let us not weep as we say goodbye, but let us recall the memories we all had with Judy that brought smiles and joy to our lives.

Let this announcement be about the celebration of Judy’s life which our family would like to share with everyone.

Judy was born on August 19, 1947, in Hartford to the late Andrew and Rena Middleton and grew up on Lake Garda in Burlington.  While at Lake Garda she became friends with Donna, Jim’s sister, who told Jim to call Judy and take her to the movies. After six months, he finally had the courage to call her which turned out to be the best phone call he ever made. Jim and Judy dated for five years before starting the next chapter in their lives together. A marriage proposal on a Sunday evening in December was followed by a notice in the mail on the following Monday “Greeting from the United States Army. You have been drafted and you are required to report in two weeks.”  Should they call off the engagement or wait? Boot camp, advanced training, two weeks at home, 13 months in Vietnam and on April 12, 1969, husband and wife. Although the 13 months away in Vietnam was long, love letters were exchanged every day, which helped to ease the time away from each other.

Judy graduated from Lewis Mills High School in 1965 and Mary Ward Secretarial School. She later worked for IBM while Jim was in the service.

Judy and Jim decided to travel during the early years of their marriage and visited Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Toronto, Nova Scotia, Costa Rica, Italy and several other attractions all over the USA before having two children, Maureen and Scott.  One of the favorite family vacation places was Virginia Beach which was frequently visited for 20 years.

Judy left IBM to raise their children and volunteered at Bradley Hospital in Southington when the children were in school.  Once the children were older, she worked at United States Machine Tools as an office manager before retiring in 2007. Judy loved to cook and bake and there was always a hot meal and desserts on the table.  She was the glue to the family and made sure her family always attended important events for family and friends. She would always invite family over for the holidays and special occasions and made it a point to have her parents over every other Sunday for dinner.  During retirement, she looked forward to lunch with special neighborhood friends.  Judy was a member of The Church of Saint Dominic and could be seen sitting in the front pew with Jim by her side.

Judy and Jim would always hold hands, whether it was two feet or two miles, during their journey through life as their hearts and minds were fused together and their bond grew stronger with time.  Judy was like most ordinary people; she was not a celebrity or famous, but was a person who cared about everyone she had the pleasure of knowing. She was a woman of faith and was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. She will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her, especially her husband Jim who walked hand and hand for 54 years with the most wonderful woman that graced this earth.

In addition to her beloved husband James Duquette, Judy is survived by two children; daughter Maureen Vargas and her husband Carlos of Southington, son Scott Duquette and his wife Valoree, of Tega Cay, South Carolina, and five grandchildren she cherished; Jenna and Ryan Vargas, Grayson, Nicholas and Nora Duquette. She is also survived by her brothers, Andrew Middleton of New York and Robert Middleton and his wife Sandy of Kentucky, sister-in-law, Arlene Middleton of Bristol and her Aunt Clara D’Amato of Bristol, along with many other brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She had a special affection for Mocha, the family labradoodle, who snuggled with her every morning.  Judy was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Rena Middleton and brother, David Middleton.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville with an 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Dominic’s Church, 1050 Flanders Road, Southington.  Burial will follow in Saint Thomas Cemetery on Bellevue Avenue, Southington. Calling hours will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Plantsville Funeral Home.  For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.