Passed away at St. Joseph’s Health Centre on March 19, 2025, in her 83rd year. Loved mother of Debbie Eltherington. Grandmother of Kim Laasko, Mary-Beth Scrannage and Aaron Eltherington. Great grandmother of Edan, Jack, Beau, Ryder, Colt, Brad, Quinn, Hudson, Duke and Pheonix. Beloved sister of Denna Marlene Benn. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews, Tricia (Tim), Wes (Nadine), Emilee (Zack) and their children Sara, Aiden B., Genna, Aiden V., Brooke, Mikayla, Julia, Jacob, Tyler, Colton, Delanie, Easton, Fara and Gianna who loved her dearly. Lots of laughs and fond memories of our times together. Judi will be missed by cousins Larry and Eliz Hillier, and their children Jennifer (John), Melissa (Sidna), and families. Judi was a very competent, intelligent, and fiercely independent woman. She had a passion for art and beauty, and a profound love of nature. Her deep affection for animals led Judi to volunteering at the Guelph Humane Society. She went on to co-found S.O.A.R. – Songbirds Only Avian Rehabilitation, a non-profit organization that accepted abandoned and injured songbirds, and raised and released them. She ran and staffed S.O.A.R. until the pandemic. This labour of love was supported by providing accounting and bookkeeping services to her clients, friends and family in the Rockwood and Guelph communities. In honour of Judi’s life long efforts to help animals, donations to the Guelph Lake Nature Centre or the Guelph Humane Society would be greatly appreciated. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com. A tree will be planted in memory of Judi P. Drake in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.
