IN Memoriam : Judith Durham Judith Durham Judith Franks Durham - age: 75 (October 26, 1939 to April 06, 2015 ) Resident of Benton, Illinois Visitation Information: VISITATION: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home 401 East Main Street Benton, Illinois 62812 CELEBRATION of LIFE SERVICES: 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015 First Presbyterian Church 34 West Poplar Street Harrisburg, IL 62946 Obituary: Judith Ann Franks Durham, loving mother, devoted grandmother, beloved friend, passed away peacefully at her lakeside home in Benton, IL on April 6, 2015. Born in Harrisburg, IL on October 26, 1939 to Arthur "Buck" Franks, Jr. and Betty Burnett Franks, Judy was the oldest of three children. She graduated from Harrisburg Township High School cum laude with an academic scholarship to Southern Illinois University. After completing her first year at SIU, her education was put on hold to pursue her husband's, James P. Durham, medical training and to raise their family. Throughout her husband's medical training and practice, they lived in St. Louis, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Boston before settling down in Benton in 1969. Judy completed her education with a Master's Degree in Social Work from SIU in 1991. She worked as a clinical therapist at Franklin Hospital and for Delta Health Corporation. Later she worked for the Franklin Williamson Human Services (FWHS) where she became a licensed clinical social worker and specialized in play and sand tray therapy for children for 13 years. Her interest in sand tray therapy took her to many workshops including traveling to Switzerland. Upon retirement in 2008, she was employed as a LCSW for Senior Care at Franklin Hospital as a primary mental healthcare therapist. With a passion for life, learning, and serving, Judy was involved in many community organizations. She was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church until it closed in 2011. She wrote the curriculum for the Ecclesiastic Vacation Bible School held jointly with other area churches. She was a member of the Shagbark Girl Scout Council. She had served on the boards of CASA of Franklin County, of the Mitchell Museum, and of Rend Lake Symphony Orchestra. She was the co-founder and first president of Town and Country Garden Club. Judy enjoyed spending time with her investment club, the "Big Muddy Mamas". She was an avid sports fan of Saluki football and basketball, and the St. Louis Rams and Cardinals. Hobbies included cooking, entertaining and canning her infamous zucchini relish and pear jam. She was an adoring fan of theatre and the arts. She loved to visit her children, to travel and to learn about other cultures. Judy is preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother Burnett Franks. She is survived by her children, James Arthur "Buck" Durham and wife Marita of Athens, AL; Dana Lynn Durham of West Frankfort; Phillip Bartley Durham and wife Jayne of Naperville, IL; and Jennifer Ann Lane of Wellsville, PA; six grandchildren, Lucas, Drew, Wesley, Madison, Madelyn Claire, and Eliza Grace; a sister Lynn Franks Gosnell and husband Bill of Brownsburg, IN; sister-in-law Marilee O'Dell and husband John of Harrisburg; sister-in-law Elsa Durham of Seattle, WA; nieces and nephews; cousins, John Pearson and wife Pam of Harrisburg, IL; Jim Pearson and wife Susie of Eldorado, IL; and aunt Jane Franks of Harrisburg, IL; as well as her two cats. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, 34 West Poplar Street, Harrisburg, IL 62946 with Rev. Dan Whitfield officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home of Benton. Memorial contributions may be made to CASA of Franklin County, P.O. Box 924, Benton, IL 62812. To leave online condolences or to share a memory about Judy, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com Source: Funeral Home Website, April 9, 2015