Judith Mabel Darlington

Judith passed away on May 7, 2026 at the age of 83 from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Her sense of adventure, delight in surprising people and dispelling their expectations, sense of humor, ability to truly see people for who they are, and kindness will be greatly missed. She was born in Deckerville to Wallace and Mabel Cole in November, 1942. In 1962, she married her sweetheart, Clare Darlington, and they went on to raise two daughters, Debra and Dawn. Beginning their marriage in Northern Maine, they returned to the Detroit Area in 1968, living in Dearborn Heights, Plymouth, Brighton, then back to Deckerville in 2022, after a brief sojourn in Colorado. Judith’s faith was very important to her and she loved sharing God’s love, grace, and forgiveness with people. She lived this through example: in her marriage and family therapy practice; her work as the Executive Director of Christian Conciliation Services of SE Michigan, a dispute resolution and mediation service; speaking engagements with women’s groups; and her missionary work in Russia and the US, where she founded Under His Thumb Ministries. She was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Plymouth, and later of Cornerstone Church in Brighton. She held a BA in Education and a teaching certificate from Michigan State University, a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and was a graduate of Charis Bible College. She will be greatly missed by her husband, Clare Darlington; daughters Debra Darlington and Dawn Shelton (Rod); grandchildren Rodney Shelton III (Samantha), Isaac Shelton (Kaity), Joshua Shelton (Laís), Jeremiah Shelton (Jessica), Gabrielle Ghosh (Sayon); and great-grandchildren Lilyan, Tristan and Mason; her sisters, Mary Burgess, Phyllis Shaw, and Joann Roy; and many extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday May 15, 2026 at the Peshek Family Funeral Home-Apsey Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday May 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Peshek Family Funeral Home-Apsey Chapel, 3467 Main St., Deckerville, MI 48427, followed by a celebration and reception at the Deckerville Community Center from 3:00-6:00 p.m.. A memorial celebration will also be held in Brighton MI at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the United Hospice Residence, 2770 Main St/PO Box 307, Marlette, MI 48453. They were very kind, generous, and caring in Judith’s last days.