Judith Pillsbury Siccama, 86, of Shelburne, Vt., passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, at Wake Robin Life Plan Community.
Judy was born in Burlington, Vt., to the late Charles and Leota (Phelps) Pillsbury of Williston, Vt. She grew up on Twin Brooks Farm in St. George, Vt., and attended Essex High School. Life on the farm gave Judy a quintessential Vermont childhood, filled with dairy cows, maple sugaring, time spent outdoors, arts and crafts, and 4-H activities. She later attended the University of Vermont, where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees.
While attending the University of Vermont, Judy met the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” Siccama. They married and shared 52 wonderful years together before Tom’s passing in 2014. Their love and life together remained an important part of Judy’s life and something she cherished deeply.
Judy was a beloved teacher at East Haven High School in East Haven, Conn., where she taught home economics and early childhood education for more than 25 years. Her love of teaching extended well beyond the classroom. She also taught adults and community members how to sew and quilt, sharing her skills and her enthusiasm for teaching and creating.
Judy was an avid quilter and loved nothing more than spending time with her quilting friends, visiting quilt shops wherever she traveled, discovering and buying fabric (and lots of it!), and taking classes to learn more about the art and craft of quilting. For many years, she operated the Tail End Workshop, a fabric store in the basement of her home, where she sold fabric and taught quilting classes.
Judy was, above all, a giver. She freely shared her time, her expertise and her creativity. She gave quilts to friends and family, flowers from her garden, and cookies from her kitchen. Giving was simply part of who she was, and she found joy in sharing what she had with the people around her.
Before moving to Wake Robin, Judy was an active member of the Shoreline Quilters Guild in Connecticut. She and her friends made many quilts to donate to organizations and individuals in need. She cherished her large circle of quilting friends and the many friendships she formed through this shared passion.
We are grateful to the nursing and activities staff at Wake Robin for taking such good care of Judy and keeping her active and engaged for as long as possible.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Siccama, and her brother, George Pillsbury.
She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Siccama, and Carolyn’s husband, Chris Trapeni, of Williston, Vt.; her granddaughter, Carly Trapeni; and her sister, Sharon Roa.
To honor and celebrate this wonderful person, and in lieu of flowers, we encourage you to give someone a compliment; make or admire a handmade quilt; plant a flower garden; pet a cat; enjoy a loud, hearty laugh; wear red shoes; or simply enjoy a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream on top.
A celebration of Judy’s joyous and crafty life may be held later in the fall.
This article appears in August 19 • 2026.