Judith Atkins Roberts' Obituary
Judith Atkins Roberts, Educator and Historian
Judith "Judy" Atkins Roberts, 76, of Lewes passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, October, 27. Born in Lewes on April 9, 1935 to Elizabeth (Russell) and Raymond R. Atkins, she was a lifelong resident and devoted community member of her beloved hometown.
Judy graduated from Lewes High School and later received a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics from the University of Delaware. She married James Shallcross Roberts in 1957 and pursued a career in education, first as a third grade teacher and later as a substitute teacher and volunteer in the Lewes/Cape Henlopen School District. Her dedication to youth inspired a decade of involvement in the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council for which she was bestowed its highest award for volunteerism, the Silver Seagull Award. She supported school music programs by creating uniforms for the Milton Junior High School Band to celebrate the National Bicentennial, producing several junior high pop concerts, as well as forming the Cape Henlopen High School Flag Corps.
A lifelong member of the Lewes Presbyterian Church, Judy was a Sunday school teacher and Choir member. She was a Ruling Elder and then a Deacon. She participated in numerous church committees including co-chairing the committee formed to oversee the 300th anniversary of the Church's congregation.
Her fascination with history and devotion to the preservation of her community's heritage led to her involvement with the Lewes Historical Society and other local and state preservation initiatives. Her contributions to the Historical Society included maintaining and enhancing the properties, chairing the popular craft and antique fairs, and contributing regularly to the Journal of the Lewes Historical Society. She served as a Director from 1972 to 1986, as Board President until 1992, and lastly as a Director Emeritus. She received the James E. Marvil Lifetime Service Award in 2002. She served as a member of the Swanendael Heritage Commission, as a Director of the Friends of the Fisher-Martin House, and as a member of the Lewes Long-Range Planning Committee. She also served as a Commissioner of the Delaware Heritage Commission. Her service to community and State was recognized in the book A Legacy from Delaware Women published by the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council.
Judy was a noted historian and author with a particular interest in local 17th century history and the history of her and her husband's families. Publications include A Nickel in a Cup, a history of the Lewes Presbyterian Church, and Our Gardens of Lewes, as well as comprehensive, unpublished family genealogies. Her artistic talents spanned several mediums from painting and needlework to arts and crafts and stained glass. She enjoyed gardening and cooking local game and seafood. She inherited her love of books from her parents and she continued their tradition of service to the Lewes Public Library in her later years. She truly loved animals — cats and dogs, as well as the odd orphaned skunk and raccoon.
Judy is remembered by her husband, Jim; her children: Stephen, Michael and Elizabeth; their spouses: Jill, Teresa and Butch; five grandsons: Alden, Derrick, Tanner, Zachary and Henry; the children of her beloved sister Adelaide: Ellen, David and Peter and their families as well as the many close friends with whom she bonded through eight decades of living well and serving her community.
Judy's life and memory will be celebrated during a service at the Lewes Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 5, at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the Church social hall. A private family interment will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Delaware Hospice (Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot's Way, Milford, DE 19963) or The Lewes Public Library (111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958)
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