Portland, ME – Judith Elaine Beckett chose a Death with Dignity on February 16, 2026. She died at her home in Portland, with her daughter and granddaughter holding her hands, and her two pastors and the Death with Dignity director by her side.
Judith was born on September 5, 1943 in Danbury, CT to Thomas A. Beckett and Catherine Lyman Beckett. She and her older sister, Gail, grew up in Danbury, and were raised by their father and their maternal grandmother.
Judith’s father always told her, “Judy, be a nurse and you’ll always have a job.” Judith took his sage advice and graduated from Stamford Hospital School of Nursing in 1968, with honors in obstetrics. After graduation, she worked at Stamford Hospital and then moved to Buffalo to be closer to her sister and her family, taking a job at Buffalo Children’s Hospital. She returned to Stamford Hospital, where she was a nurse in the Emergency Department, and then worked at a methadone clinic and as a school nurse. In 1978, she moved to Boston, working at a methadone clinic in Dorchester, and then on the acute care psychiatric unit at Beth Isreal. In 1988, she and her wife-to-be, Marilyn Whitehead, built a log home on a mountain in VT, where they resided until Marilyn’s death in 2021. While in VT, Judith worked on an inpatient psychiatric unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, on the Alzheimer’s unit at Grafton County Home, and then, bringing her career full-circle, she worked in the birthing center at Cottage Hospital Birthing Center in Woodsville, NH.
After retiring in 2005, Judith found her calling as a visual artist. She had always been a writer and was published in various feminist journals and anthologies, as well as in Global Stamp News, for which she wrote a monthly “Feminist Philatelist” column. While continuing to write, Judith dove into the visual arts, becoming an accomplished artist working in pastels, pencil, and pen and ink. She was a talented cartoonist, studying at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, VT, and at the time of her death, she was working on a graphic memoir.
Activism was a constant throughout Judith’s life and she was an ardent civil rights champion. Among her many actions, she worked as an organizer and outreach coordinator for the VT Stonewall 25 celebration, culminating with a trip to NYC for the celebration; served on the board of the VT Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights; and was the Lesbian Chair of VT N.O.W. She was a community educator on racial equality, economic justice, and women’s rights, and helped organize and enthusiastically participated in many Pride celebrations. She mentored young activists (including her daughter and granddaughter) and, as a nurse, used her feminist principles and ideals to change women’s lives for the better.
In 1963, Judith had a baby girl, who she reluctantly and selflessly placed for adoption. In 1987, she found her daughter, with whom she rekindled a loving relationship throughout the rest of her life.
Judith was predeceased by her parents, her sister, her wife, and her beloved cat, Danny.
She leaves behind her daughter, Phebe Quattrucci, of Falmouth; her granddaughter, Tessa, of Portland; her adopted grandson, Dylan Morse of New Haven, CT and his parents, Lyn Staack and Ann Morse, both of Ithaca, NY; her nieces and nephews, Chris Musson (Erin Whetham) of Portland, Charles “Chip” Musson (Syd Kirwan) of Brookline, MA, Kathy Musson-Hulk (Don) of Wethersfield, CT, and Kim Connelly (Brian) of Lake Elsinore, CA; her great-niece, Abi Hulk, and her two great-nephews, Brian, Jr. and Justin Connolley; and many dear friends in Maine, Vermont, and beyond.
Judith’s family is grateful for the loving care and support provided by her hospice team, the staff at Ashton Gardens, and the Death with Dignity team. Together, they enabled Judith to remain at home and have the peaceful, dignified death that she wanted.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 on March 21, 2026 at the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, where Judith found community after moving to Maine in 2022. A private burial will be held in Vermont in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Judith’s name to Northern Light Home Care and Hospice (https://give.northernlighthealth.org/campaign/643548/donate) or the Equality Community Center (https://eccmaine.org/donate).
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