News

It is with a heavy heart that we share that longtime RLT volunteer Judi Wilkinson passed away on March 11, 2024. Judi first came to Raleigh Little Theatre in 1974 as a costume shop volunteer on Hello, Dolly! and truly never left. She met her husband David at the theatre in the late 1970s, when she was running lights for Fiddler on the Roof and he was working on the set. Judi remained an active part of Raleigh Little Theatre throughout her entire life.

We encourage you to listen to this RLT podcast interview from August 2020 to learn more about both Judi and David’s innumerable contributions to the theatre.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 15, from 3:00-5:00pm in Raleigh Little Theatre’s Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre.

Please see below for her obituary:

Judi Wilkinson
September 30, 1946 – March 11, 2024

Judi Wilkinson passed away in her home in Raleigh, NC, at the age of 77. Judi is survived by her sister, Jeanne Boley of Sioux Falls, SD, her brother George Miller of Altoona, IA, many nieces and nephews and her husband David Wilkinson of Raleigh. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Jerry Miller.

Judi was born at Ft. Snelling, MN the daughter of Emily and Robert Miller. Her father was career Army so growing up she lived in many places in the US including a few years in the Netherlands. After attending Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and George Washington University in Washington DC, Judi graduated with honors from NCSU as a history major.

Judi worked in the banking industry. She started as a teller with First Citizens Bank and worked her way to a Branch Manager. She also worked at several other banks in the area throughout her career.

After coming to Raleigh, she became a volunteer at the Raleigh Little Theatre. Soon after, she became a member of the Board of Directors there and remained on the board for a number of years. Once the theatre started selling concessions during the performances she stepped up and became the “Concession Queen” purchasing all the concessions and co-ordinating the concession volunteers. She and David met at RLT, marrying in 1982. They volunteered there in many capacities for over 40 years.