Judith Eckelbarger

Judy contained multitudes. Most of her friends and family knew her for her loving spirit, as well as for her fierce love of country. She met every new acquaintance with the acceptance and easy familiarity of an old friend. A former antique dealer, she prided herself on creating a warm and welcoming home, filled with laughter and a whole lot of unique antiques. Her garden was as well-tended as her home and she gave her pickles and dilly beans to friends and family every summer, only asking that they return the jars so she could do it again the next year, practical and thrifty as well as generous. Her comfort food was always in demand, and her recipes for cottage cheese lasagna (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!), baked spaghetti, baked beans, and cowboy cookies will continue to be enjoyed by the many people who loved her. She loved her vodka tonics and cigarettes as well, but she didn’t pass on those particular vices. The baked beans with the pound of brown sugar will do just fine, thank you very much.

She was a caring and involved mother and grandmother, active in the PTA and running the Little League concession stand when she was a young mother of three. She did this while waitressing at many of the local motel restaurants in Southwestern Michigan and selling antiques on the weekends at various flea markets, passing on her love of the hunt for a good bargain to her kids. She eventually became co-owner of the Antique Exchange, beloved in the community for her maternal tendencies and good humor. She was a crafty lady, trying her hand at ceramics, découpage, and making Christmas ornaments out of oyster shells she got from the restaurants where she waited tables. Remember, she was thrifty!

But Judy was a tough lady, too. She beat breast cancer in her 60s, opting for a unilateral mastectomy and then getting on with life. She worked at Rite-Aid in those later years and spent many happy hours at the American Legion Post 362 in Coloma, Michigan, serving as the auxiliary president and a member of the funeral detail, proud of her husband and two sons’ military service. In 2016, Judy and Jim sold their farmhouse in Coloma and moved permanently to Texas, where they had wintered for many years. There, Judy poured her energies into creating a cozy home and cooking their favorites until her illness took over. In her better moments, she enjoyed watching her “judge shows” and reminiscing with boxes of photos showing a life well lived.

Judy lived with joy and grace and even in her last days at Casa Mia Home Care in Harlingen, continued to laugh and care about others over herself until the end. She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love.

Born Judith Ann Hamlin to Reno and Betty Hamlin in South Haven, Michigan on July 23, 1943, she is survived by her husband of 32 years Jim Eckelbarger; children Chris Worick (Monika), John Worick (Edy), and Jennifer Worick; sister Janice Labar; stepdaughters Annette Dixon (Scot) and Denise Halgren (David); 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Her brothers Roger and Greg preceded her in death.

No funeral services are being planned at this time but condolences and memories can be posted at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/la-feria-tx/judith-eckelbarger-12020176