Groton — Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz on Thursday swore in Beth Ladwig Leamon as judge of probate for the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Court, in a ceremony emphasizing the role of probate judges in serving the community.

Colleagues, friends, family and elected officials from Groton, Ledyard, Stonington and North Stonington — the towns served by the court — gathered outside Groton Town Hall to thank retiring Judge of Probate Nicholas F. Kepple and welcome Leamon, who has nearly two decades of experience as an attorney.

"I'm fully confident that Beth will do a great job as our next probate judge," Kepple said. "She’s smart, she’s kind, and she’s committed to community service."

Leamon was elected in November 2020 to fill Kepple's role as probate judge for the District 30 court. Kepple, who was first elected to the position in 2011, reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 this month.

Bysiewicz said she's delighted to swear in Leamon, noting it's an important office where people come at very difficult moments in their lives, such as when they lose a loved one, when they need help with sick or elderly people, or when they need protection for children.  

"You have, in spades, a person who is diligent, is competent, is knowledgeable, who is compassionate and empathetic," Bysiewicz said.

She pointed to Leamon's diligence in reaching out to other probate judges to shadow them and learn about the challenges they face even before she was elected.

"I know that she is the right person for the job," Bysiewicz said. "She has already prepared herself."

Leamon thanked everyone who supported her. "I just feel so fortunate that I've been able to have the support I had, and I feel fortunate that I'm able to give back to the community."

She added that she has "a big set of shoes to fill," as Kepple has run "an amazing court," and she's hoping, with the help of the court's clerk, to continue that.

"I am both honored and humbled," Leamon said in a statement. "I look forward to putting my background in the area of trusts and estates and my lifelong appreciation for my community, to work in this new position."

During the ceremony, Groton Town Manager John Burt said he's sure the close relationship the town has had with Kepple will continue with Leamon, who he said is very personable and has a great background.

"I wish you great success," he told her.

Ledyard Mayor Fred Allyn III said the role of probate judge is tremendous, important and challenging. He said the "key additive" needed for the role is compassion, which Leamon has.

"This is a small but shining example of what regionalization can do," he added of the regional probate court. The state approved in 2009 a plan to consolidate its 117 probate courts into 54 courts, which was estimated to bring a cost savings of $8 million each year, according to The Day's archives.

North Stonington First Selectman Michael Urgo said they will miss Kepple and appreciate all the work he has done. Stonington First Selectwoman Danielle Chesebrough said Leamon will continue the role with the same integrity Kepple had.

Kepple thanked the court's assistant clerks Jamie Webster and Nicole Coughlin, clerks Michele Parks and Susan Cardinal, and Chief Clerk Jill Millovitsch; Groton Town Clerk Betsy Moukawsher and Stonington Town Clerk Cynthia Ladwig, Leamon's stepmother; and New London Probate Judge Mathew Greene, all of whom attended Thursday's ceremony.

Kepple said after the ceremony that he loved being probate judge because it was very affirming about human nature. He said people have the misimpression that the probate court is full of acrimony and tension, but it's the opposite.

"It's actually a place where I got to see so much love and kindness, people stepping up to be there for family members, friends or loved ones," he said. "From looking at the news you get the impression that there's a lot of darkness in the world but I spent ten years here bearing witness to how good people are."

k.drelich@theday.com