Judith "Judy" Beers

5/28/1934 - 10/28/2025

Old Lyme - Judith "Judy" Richardson Beers, age 91, died in peace at home, Oct. 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving husband, Thomas Whitney Beers and children, David Richardson Beers and Lynne Beers Walters, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, friendship and inspiration.

The daughter of Alice Foster Richardson and Ernesto Horatio Richardson, Judy was born in Pittsfield, Mass., May 28, 1934. She would recall with great fondness her childhood with her brother, Jim Richardson, and her doting parents. She enjoyed her formative years in Lee, Mass., before attending the Northfield School of Girls, Class of 1952 (now Northfield-Mt. Hermon). She thrived at Syracuse University where she was a proud member of the Class of 1956 and Chi Omega. In 1967, Judy and Tom launched Sudberry House, beginning in their basement in Morristown, N.J., with the idea of manufacturing wooden handles for embroidered Bermuda bags.

They subsequently moved to Old Lyme, where they broadened their line of wooden accessories for needlework. Judy and Tom travelled the country, visiting needlepoint shops, and attending National Needlework Association trade shows, while building their business. She actively worked there alongside her son, David, well into her 80s.

Judy and Tom shared a loving and devoted marriage and were close business partners. They had a love of travel, which took them to much of the Globe. Judy was always engaging and connected easily with others through her charm and sense of humor. Her smile was electric and for most of her life, she had an incredible memory for the details of other peoples' lives. She embraced the role of "Dede" for her three grandchildren, Allison, Christopher and Maya. She loved her exercise classes with Axel Mahler, her stitch club, and book club. She had a great love of nature, especially flowers. She was a fountain of positive energy, had the joy of a young person throughout her life, and never felt old until the last few years of her life.

She leaves behind her husband, Tom; her children, David Beers and Lynne Walters (Jeff); three grandchildren: Christopher Walters (fiancée Isabella Garza), Allison Walters, and Maya Beers; her niece Cindy Ryan (Doug); and her nephew Jim Richardson (Maria). She was predeceased by her brother and his wife, Jim and Barbara Richardson. The family would particularly like to thank the excellent caregivers who were professional, loving and devoted as her health declined: Lali Kursua, Julie O'Brien and Lali K.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Nature Conservancy or First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. To honor Judy's wishes, services were held privately. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes.