Judith (Judy) Hatch-Perkins died Dec. 19 from the ravages of Parkinson’s disease. She was 79.

She was born May 23, 1942 in New Rochelle, N.Y. to Frederick Seacord and Rosemary McKenzie Seacord. She grew up in Larchmont, N.Y., and enjoyed annual vacations on Martha’s Vineyard. She was the stepdaughter of Carrie Osborne Seacord of the Vineyard.

Judy was a talented artist in the mediums of watercolor, drawing and woodcarving. She authored two books: The Dragonfly of Lookout Mountain 1996 and The Fire Lookout’s Survival Manual 2017. For more than 30 years, she taught at elementary schools in New York, California and Nevada.

In 2002, she married another longtime teacher, Charles (Bud) Perkins. After retiring in 2006, they relocated to Edgartown and enjoyed 10 years of Island life, including volunteering at Polly Hill Arboretum. Five years ago, they returned to their home in Carson Valley at the crossroads of California and Nevada, when the effects of Judy’s disease became apparent.

Judy’s kind, gentle ways and independent spirit will live on with her friends and loved ones.