Julia Middleton Obituary

Brooklyn, CT - Judy (Howard) Middleton, 82, of Stetson Road, Brooklyn, CT, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. She passed away peacefully at Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing Home, surrounded by her family. She was the loving wife of the late Riley M. Middleton for 51 cherished years. Born in Burbank, CA, she was the daughter of the late Ansley Howard and Carrie (Mitchell) Leppert.
Judy was a graduate of East Bakersfield High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Riley. The two married on October 21, 1960, and went on to raise their children together, daughter, Sherry, and son, Curt, in Bakersfield. As a family, they spent approximately 25 years enjoying water skiing and house boating. Judy was a homemaker for many years until her children grew older and went out into the world. After raising her family, she went on to be a loan officer at Kern Schools Federal Credit Union and then Safe One Credit Union until her retirement.
Judy was a true adventurer and deeply enjoyed traveling. After retirement, she and Riley continued to travel all around the country visiting every state, Canada and Mexico, mostly in their motorhome and often accompanied by their beloved Persian cat, Alf. They were longtime members of the Break-A-Way R.V. club and fulfilled their retirement dream of moving to Oregon in 2005.
Judy loved planning family vacations and documented all of her adventures through thousands of photographs. The family tradition of vacationing together every year to visit loved ones near and far was something she treasured. When not traveling, Judy also enjoyed cooking, crafting and Scrabble. Above all, she cherished being "Nonny" and spending time with her precious family.
Those who knew Judy knew her as a woman of strong faith. She was active in her church all throughout her life, continuing this legacy of faith and attending church regularly even after moving to Connecticut and up until her passing.
Judy is survived by daughter, Sherry Greene and her husband Gary of Brooklyn, CT; son, Curt Middleton and his wife Maureen of Bakersfield, CA; brother, Ray Howard and his wife Joan of Bakersfield, CA; 7 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Judy's family from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260. A second funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. Interment to follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com or www.HillcrestMemorial.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Julia "Judy", please visit our floral store.