Judith was a Jewel of a Friend

Judith Anne Caulkett Beckman 
August 5, 1945 - January 18, 2025

Judith was my good friend from the First United Methodist Church in Port St. Lucie, FL.  We met at our Lydia Circle meeting in about 2012.  Judith invited me to be on the Board for the Unit Group.  That gave me a chance to meet a lot of ladies in the church.

Judith was a loyal caregiver for her vivacious mother, Erma Jean Caulkett.  They did many things together.  Erma Jean died at age 98 a few years ago.

(Click on any photo for an enlargement.)

This is one of our first "outings" in 2015. I had gone on a boat tour out of Ft. Pierce, about 12 miles north of Port St. Lucie, but we didn't see any dolphins.  So the captain gave us free tickets to come again.  I invited Judith to go and yes, we did see some dolphins.

Judith and Erma Jean came up to their friends’ house near Lynchburg to dog sit.  Much to my surprise and delight, they came to my house near Harrisonburg to have lunch!  This is us on the deck of my brother’s home, which is on the next hill over from my house.

Gail and Art Whitmarsh started sitting near us in church.  She had her service dog, Honey, with her at all times. We invited Gail to join our circle and we admitted Honey, also.

She came to our Circle Christmas party and told us all about Honey.  We had many questions and she answered them all.  The process of getting her registered as a Service Animal was very extensive. 

Honey could tell if Gail was getting ready for an attack of a lung condition so Gail could get her inhaler out quickly.  Gail wasn’t even aware that this was going to happen. This would have been a life or death matter.  We sat near Honey in church for 4 years and that little poodle never made a sound.

We especially enjoyed all the outfits Honey wore.  Art, her hubby, said Honey had so many outfits that he had to build a special closet just for her.

Gail used to say this about Judith, “I don’t know how any woman can come out week after week looking like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine – especially the hair………….her hair is always perfect!?”  (I happened to know that Judith cut her own hair!)
 

Judith loved Blanche Devereaux, my Cornish Rex kitty.  Sadly, she became allergic if around cats for a while so she couldn't have one.

We went down to the big newish mall in West Palm Beach.  We found these strange shoes and I'm so glad we took a pic!

I felt it was important that Judith be with people on the first Easter without Erma Jean. Easter 2023 was in the Florida room of my little house.

Easter 2024 was under the bridge going from Jensen Beach to Hutchinson Island.  It was a lovely day.

I also convinced Judith to join our Zoom Bible Study group with Rita Etherington.  We had been meeting at Rita’s home but when the Pandemic hit, she figured out how to use Zoom.  This way, Judith could participate without having to go out.  Also, when Gary (my hubby) was in Virginia and I was in Florida for the winter, he could still “attend.”

Much to my surprise and delight, Judith came with me to our group’s Mardi Gras party.

On one of our last outings last spring, Judith came over and helped me make a wreath for my door.  It was obvious what an eye she had.  She even made me some extra bows to use on other wreaths - professionally done, of course.    Her artistic nature was also evidenced by how tastefully her home was decorated.

 

Judith and her brother, David Caulkett, celebrated each birthday for
Erma Jean right up to 98!