Judith (Judy) Agnes Burns, 92, passed away on April 15, 2026, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Hartford, CT on April 24, 1933, the daughter of Edward J. Burns and Agnes B. Burns (née Tuttle) and spent her childhood and young adulthood in Broad Brook and East Haven. After marrying, she raised her four daughters in Durham before settling in Old Saybrook, where for more than 40 years she treasured her blue house by the water.

In her younger years, Judy’s passion for horses led her to riding and training horses and performing as a trick rider. She was a familiar presence at the Durham Fair, where she served for many years as superintendent of the gates. Judy established her first childcare center, Kinder-Garden, in Durham, and later, she and her partner, Geoff Wilcock, established Apple Tree in Middletown. Judy went on to the Red Cross where she organized blood drives for Middlesex County before retiring.

Her home in Old Saybrook was the gathering place. Holidays and celebrations often stretched late into the evening. There was always room at her table for extended family, new partners, babies, friends, friends of friends, and even the occasional stranger, and there were always enough homemade pie and cookies to go around.

She cherished trips to the New Hampshire Highland Games with her family and traveling with her partner Geoff, including trips to Mexico, Majorca, Venezuela, and a particularly memorable trip to England. She was an avid reader, an enthusiastic family historian, and she loved swimming laps in her pool.

Judy was a constant and active presence in her grandchildren’s lives. She attended every game and dance recital, hosted perfect summer days by the pool, and gave the best back scratches.

She was delighted to welcome each of her six great-grandchildren into her life. 

Judy was the heart of her family, an energetic force full of love, and her absence will be deeply felt.

She is survived by her daughters, Marla Hinz (Gordon), Paula Parker (John) and Erica Leonardi (Sebastian); her grandchildren Daniel Parker (Stephanie), Kelsey McIsaac (Andrew), Bridget Hinz (Harris Rosenblum), and Jordan Leonardi; and her great-grandchildren Charlotte, Molly, and Owen McIsaac, Harrison, Maxwell, and Eliana Parker; and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her daughter Vanessa Binder; her loving partner of 42 years, Geoff Wilcock; her former husband, William Binder; her siblings Sheila Baylis and Jerome Burns; and her parents.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Rebecca, for being a devoted caregiver and true friend to Judy, and to the staff of the Comfort Care floor at Middlesex Hospital for their compassionate and skilled care in her final days.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 15 at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown, CT. Family and friends may call on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Middlesex Health Gift of Gratitude for the Comfort Care Team.    https://middlesexhealth.org/grateful

To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.