Judith Derrick

Judith Derrick
October 11, 1956 - November 26, 2025
Judith Eckels Derrick, 69, of Wallingford (formerly of Carmel, CA) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at LiveWell of Southington on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. She was the daughter of Doris (MacKenzie) Eckels and the late Roger Eckels of Wallingford and the beloved wife of Kenneth Derrick originally from West Hartford, CT. Judy was raised in Wallingford, CT and graduated from Boston University School of Nursing.
After graduation, Judy relocated to the beautiful town of Carmel by the Sea in California. She began a lifelong nursing career at The Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, specializing in Labor and Delivery alongside her dear friend Debra. She would meet Ken in Carmel, marry him in 1986, and together build their dream home in the Carmel Highlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Judy had a wonderful life which included many Duke Basketball Final Four tournaments, Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park, Broadway shows, Tennis with her friends at the Carmel Athletic Club, The Concours d 'Elegance at Pebble Beach each year, Autumns in Connecticut, exotic travels to include Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Paris, Hong Kong, Austria and Germany, yearly trips to their timeshare in Tortola and Good Morning Carmel gatherings through the years. She valued all her friendships throughout her life and her time in Connecticut with family gatherings and the magic of their cottage on Hartland Pond in CT.
Judy returned to her home in Wallingford a few years ago where she had the support of family and devoted private caregivers to provide the quality of life and loving care she deserved. Judy faced all her healthcare issues with grace, dignity, a sense of humor, strength, resiliency and almost always maintained a smile, lighting up all those around. Her love of music and singing were enjoyed up until her final days, providing her with comfort, peace and serenity.
Judy is survived her mother, Doris Eckels of Wallingford CT; her brother and sister in law, Stephen and Mary Ellen Eckels of Wallingford CT; her sister, Karen Eckels Moore of Durham CT; her nieces, Alecia and Branden Bohan and Erika and Robert Brady; her nephews, Christopher and Jonathan Eckels; her goddaughters, Amanda Daly of Berkeley, CA and Mackenzie Daly of San Diego, CA; and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.
Judy was preceded in death by her father, Roger Eckels; her husband of 24 years, Kenneth Derrick of Carmel CA, her dear friend, Dr. Jim Pretzer of Carmel, CA; and her beloved brother-in-law Walter Moore of Durham CT.
Judy's family will receive family and close friends at The Yalesville Funeral Home, 386 Main Street in the Yalesville section of Wallingford, on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by her funeral service.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to all of Judy's caregivers at LiveWell and Bristol Hospice the last few weeks and months, along with her private caregivers that, through the years, had kept her home to include Kathy, Ann, Dolly and Rose. You were all angels in her life. Gifts in Judy's memory may be made to Memory Care at Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington Street, Wallingford, CT 06492 or Carmel Cares Mission, 225 Crossroads Blvd, Suite 285, Carmel, CA 93923.