Julia Mary Philippi
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Julia Mary Philippi (neé Shaw), 58, of Blaine Washington died August 1st 2012 in Blaine after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Julia was born in Bradford England to Marie and Terry Shaw on February 2nd 1954. She grew up with 4 siblings; sisters Helen, Susan and Angie, and a brother, Terry. Her childhood was spent in Bradford.
In 1973 Julia wed Keith Jowett and became the mother of two children, Dawn born 1973 and Wayne born 1975.
The family moved to California in 1986 and Julia remained a California resident until November of 2011.
Julia remarried in 1990 to Gary Philippi and they settled in Downey, CA. She especially enjoyed her vacations to Tahiti and her evenings with friends at Maggies Pub. A lover of animals she grew up with cats but later developed a love for dogs. Her favorites were by far Bandit, Annie and Jake who she loved to snuggle up to and dote upon. She also enjoyed the company of her best friends Nicki and Denise. A strong desire to see the world drove her travels to Europe. She visited England many times over the years, also traveling to Italy and Spain with Dawn, Lee and Owen.
As the children grew into adults Julia pursued a new career in nursing, first gaining her GED then graduating from the Vocational Nursing Program at Rio Hondo College, finally attaining her LVN. For many years she worked in the ER department at St Francis Hospital in LA where she was admired by her coworkers in an often challenging environment. She also branched out into individual care for physically and mentally disabled adults and children from which it was clear she gained great pleasure. Sadly her working career was cut short as the affects of Alzheimer’s disease impacted her abilities.
Gary shares the following about his life together with Julia; "My dear wife has left us after a long struggle with an incurable disease. I along with her daughter Dawn, her son Wayne, and son in law Lee watched with anguish as her life slowly ebbed away from us until Julia finally had enough and sought the tranquillity and peace of a new beginning. But I am left with many fond memories of our 24 years together; the vacation trips to Europe,the South Pacific and Yosemite which she dearly loved to visit. Julia loved her dogs and classical music(The Moldau by Friedrich Smetana was her favorite). Julia was always so full of life and happiness when we went out with friends to dinner parties and really enjoyed holiday parties with her family, especially when she could spend time with her beloved grandson Owen. He was truly the light of her life. So my darling, thank you for all the wonderful times we spent together and I so wish we had more time to have been able to explore the world with all it's exciting things to see and do. Goodbye for now lovie-you will always be in my heart and I will love you always."
Family and friends will remember her as the “life and soul of the party”, always laughing, joking and making the most of each day. Even as her memory failed she would still talk about her evenings with her lifelong friend Liz, listening to Keith’s band playing and her ongoing love for the country in which she was born. Remarkably she retained her sense of humor right to the end. Her favourite sayings “Heavens to Murgatroyd!” and “sugarlump” will always be remembered by Owen. She was a doting Grandma, full of fun and “very silly”. Dawn’s favorite memories are: Mum doing my hair, taking me to the park as a child, her intelligence and love for others, being there to talk to when I needed her, helping me get ready to be married, and going out for coffee together. She was also the best and funnest Grandma in the world!
Julia is survived by children Dawn and Wayne, grandchildren Owen and Ashton, her Mother Marie, Sisters Helen , Susan, Angie, Brother Terry, Nieces and Nephews Tom, Laura, Alex, Amy, Alex and Niall, Sam and James.
Julia’s final resting place will be the tranquil surroundings of Stillwaters remembrance garden in Bellingham Washington and the rolling hills of her beloved Yorkshire countryside.
Special thanks to:
Good Samaritan Stafholt Staff, You all know how you’ve influenced my Mum’s life. We cannot thank you enough for all the dedication and loving care you gave to Julia. She could not have been in a better facility and ALL of the staff were wonderful.
The Alzheimer's Society of Washington: Leslie Jackson and the support group. Leslie you have been a lifeline and have helped guide me through some pretty difficult decisions. I don’t know what I would have done without you and the support group.
Whatcom Hospice: A great big thanks to all the staff at Whatcom Hospice especially the hospice nurse, social worker and Chaplain.
Suggested donations to: Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225 or Alzheimers Society of Washington, 1308 Meador Ave, Suite C1, Bellingham, WA 98229.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye” - The Little Prince.
“The purpose of life is to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have it make some difference that we lived at all”
Memories
From Shelley Jelderda
Julia will be missed so dearly. Her daughter, Dawn, and I were best friends in high school and we met shortly after the family had moved here from England. I spent a lot of time at Julia's home and she always had a smile on her face! She was so full of joy, laughter, and so very witty. I remember thinking she was such a hip, cool, young mom! She was always so friendly and really enjoyed getting to know everyone that she encountered. I remember meeting her and Dawn at Nordstrom's for shopping trips and Julia watching Dawn and I get dressed and ready to go out somewhere fun for the evening. She loved to share her interests and insights with those she loved and she was so incredibly intelligent. I remember sitting down at the kitchen table and chatting with her or sharing ideas with her. I loved hearing her stories about St. Francis Medical Center and all of the interesting things that had happened in the emergency room where she worked as a nurse. My last memory of Julia was when she came with Dawn and Lee, about a year or so before Owen was born, to my home. I had just had my second child ( my youngest daughter) and she brought a gift. I am blessed to have known such a beautiful, remarkable woman. She was truly a blessing to all of her family and friends and will never be forgotten. May Julia rest in God's loving arms now and be at peace.
From David Moody
My time with Julia was brief but delightful. She was mischievous, bright eyed and loved anaimals. I spent some time on the mini-farm that she eventually bought. The ducks geese and donkey drew her attention and her funny quips delighted my heart. Those who were blessed to know her well are better off for her friendship and love. She left the world a better place. A most honorable thing to do.
David Moody
From L.,C.,A. & B.
A tribute to a special woman:
We never met Julia, but our lives have been indirectly blessed by her, through knowing Dawn, Lee & Owen...and we know she is very much a special part of them. When reflecting on all the good a person does in their life, it is staggering to think about how the simple act of being important in one person's life, reaches with ripple effects to the lives of so many others. So, with gratitude in our hearts for the friendship we share with Dawn, Lee & Owen, we also feel grateful for Julia, and what she has meant to them. We know she lives on in their hearts (and doubtless many others' hearts), still touching people through who they are, because she is a part of them.
From Maureen and Ra…
We last saw Julia about a month go when we visited our grandson Owen, and it was heartbreaking to see how Alzheimer's had taken the Julia we once new.
She loved her grandson Owen, and our hearts go out to him as he will miss grandma Julia Goolia as he called her. Also our thoughts are with her daughter Dawn, as she did everything in life possible for her Mum, and i know it has been heartbreaking for her. Julia loved art, and i have fond memories of her taking us to Huntington Library, and introducing us to all the wonderful paintings there on one of our visits.She was intelligent, and had a wicked sense of humour which had not left her when we last saw her.
May she now rest in peace
From Sarah Jowett
Auntie Julie...was one of the funniest and wittiest persons I have ever known. She always had something funny to say. My favorite memory of her was when we lived in England and she taught me how to sew. She was very patient with me. I can only imagine how great she was with the people that she took care of. I'm so sad that her has been cut short. Auntie Julie will forever remain in my heart. Rest In Peace
From Ann Jowett-Dirner
I remember the sixteen year old girl, so full of life...Not knowing that we would later become sister-in-laws. We had our own special bond both being married the the boys in the band. There are many special memories of those times that I will cherish forever. When we came to America we lived together, our children more like siblings than cousins and we more like sisters. Although we drifted apart later in life, I still remember the smile on the face of that sixteen year old girl. I was able to see her last year and I'm grateful for that chance...not knowing her life would end so quickly, I wished it could have been more.
Rest In Peace Julie.
You will be missed.
From Brendan Morris
Julie was my late wife Margaret's neice. and I new Julie and her family well in Bradford before we emigrated to Canada. Julie visited us in Canada 2 times.
I and my children, Patrick and Ann Marie, regret on her untimely death, and will remember her in our prayers
From Nicola Barnes
Maureen - I also remember that day we all spent in Windsor! - I dont think Julia stopped laughing all day! xxxxxxxx
From St Francis Hos…
From St Francis Hospital
Thinking of you and your old colleagues at St Francis. Xxx
Hugs. Xx
Noah Flores - Wow! I'm speechless.
Much love and prayers for her family. She will always have a special place
in our hearts and memories.
Victoria Vera Hernandez - Lots of prayers!!
Lourdes Jonson Cepeda omg! deeply saddened by this news. May she rest in
peace.
Michelle Hosea Walker - That is so sad. She was so sweet (and funny!). I'm
sorry.
Renee Alkire - Julia was a great lady! So sorry to her the sad news
James Bridges- So sorry. JimBo
Julia Gulia...! Forever good memories of times at the Francis.I am so sorry.
Mike Denniston Julia Gulia? She had such a fun sense of humor! Those days at
St.Francis were so influential and she was an essential part of that for
sure...Go in peace Julia.
Addison G. Alkire R. I. P. Lovely
Marcie Bryant- Wow sorry to hear the sad news
Jesus Amarillas - wow..... my prayers to Julia's family....She was always
with a good sense of humour, always with a smile........
Nerielynn Lodevico Prayers to the family she is a beautiful soul may she
rest in paradise....it's not bye for now it's till we meet again....
I remember Julia! She was a good person and funny. My deepest sympathy to
the family.
Veronica Castañeda Ramirez - I'm sad to hear this news:(( my prayers are
with you and her family.
Cheree Pettigrew- I am sorry but glad she had family and friends with her
Randa Shammaa- My prayers are with you and her family .. It is so sad..
Christa - Gaytan- She was such a sweet funny lady!
Praying for her family
.Angela Collins- RIP sweet Julia
Martha Flores- My prayers to you on the loss of a great friend and to her
family for their great loss. May the Lord sooth and comfort you.
Joanna Welch those were some of the best years of my nursing career, working
at St. Frannies...and Julia gulia...she was hilarious! what a shocker to
hear of her passing...may she rest in peace, smiling at all of us from
heaven! i miss all the amazing people I used to work my ass off with at
Francis! prayers for everyone, especially Julia's family! Xoxo
Juan Rosales such a fun lady to be around, great personality, great person,
RIP
From Patti Etcheverry
My sympathy to Gary and the family on your loss.....Julia was my friend at work and at play..we had great times in Downey and our many trips/adventures, Cambria was my favorite where dear Julia booked us a room with one kingsize bed, she wanted the ocean view and it was all that was available, course she did not tell me til we got there and wanted to surprise me....she dog sat for my Rosie , we would have doggie play dates:)......REST IN PEACE my beautiful friend...xoxo
From Colleen Robbins
I worked with Julia over 17 years ago at SFMC and can still feel warmed by the good memories of her. So sorry for your loss!! May your sorrow turn to peace soon.
Colleen Robbins
From Nicola Barnes
Julia was my best friend! - We had such fun - those days in Downey - at St. Francis Medical Center , where we liked to call everyone a plonker! - because we were the only ones who knew what that meant! She was vivacious and fun - truly unique! We spent our days searching for Marmite and twiglets! - English Fairs! - and The Daughters of The British Empire!! - lots of homemade jam and cakes!!! - and even a bit of Morris dancing!!!!! (and the pearly Kings and Queens!) - they were brilliant times! - Scouting around all the Charity shops (We bought such a load of rubbish!!!!) - but Julia manged to cram all we bought in that garage in Downey!!! - and when I left for England, we managed to cram even more in there!!! - Ive missed her dreadfully. From the English pubs (I think we found them all!!) - to the English fairs - Indian meals!!! - a bit of Chinese occasionally! - and roast dinners!! - and that .....computer - that Julia could never fix!!!!!! .......her beautiful dogs! - and the family she loved beyond everything! - Planning your courtship Dawn - was quite a feat!!!! - making sure that Lee was always invited for tea when you were around!! - Your Mum had your marriage to Lee sorted out before you had even met him!!!!! - I think the funniest excursion we had - was when we had arranged a very special day out in Santa Monica. We thought "Secrets and Lies" (movie) was playing at a small movie theater in the back streets. We managed to get tickets - and very excitedly planned everything - and sat down with popcorn and a diet coke - all ready for a great, funny English movie - when this chinese music started up - with subtitles!!!!!!! - God know what it was - but it was all in chinese!!!!! - we stayed until the end - but didnt have a clue what it was about!!!!!! - sort of sums up what Julia and I got up to to be honest!!!! - It was never quite what we expected!!! - I love your Mum Dawn and Wayne - She will be forever in my heart! - Big hugs and kisses to you all .................................xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From Liz Ropschitz
It was with tremendous sadness that I learnt that my longest close friend Julia had passed away. I first met Julia when in February 1973, 6 months pregnant with my first child, I, with my husband Manfred, moved to Small Page in Queensbury, Yorkshire. To my delight, I met my neighbours, Julia and Keith, also newly married, and expecting their first baby just 1 week after mine was due. We spent many a day in each others houses, discussing and preparing for our new arrivals, waddling around Queensbury and bussing to Bradford city to buy knitting wool and patterns.
I was first, giving birth to my son Gabriel and Julia followed shortly after with Dawn. Every day we were together, we loved watching Dawn and Gabriel start to interact and play together, crawling, walking, learning to talk and there was plenty of shared parental responsibilities to give each other some free time to ‘get on’. She was inventive cooking budget meals and I remember how she taught me to make a roast dinner out of 2 slices of roast beef!
Spurred on by Julia, we both became quite ambitious with our knitting and Dawn and Gabriel were proud owners of identical little Arran cardigans.
I have a photo of Dawn and Gabriel as toddlers, sitting on the front door step, Gabriel is giving Dawn a kiss but holding a bag of sweets well out of Dawns reach.
Julia, who was working in Fosters wool mill, got me my first job there. We both worker the evening shift, so tea on the table ready for husbands home from work, we set off down to the mill to do our shift, spinning, winding, twisting and later Julia moved to the weaving shed.
Julia loved to come around in the evening and listen to Manfred talk about his work in the eye operating theatre and fascinated she said that she would love to work in that area. A natural caring person and keen to learn she was destined to become a nurse. Sometimes, on a Sunday lunchtime, we would all go along to the pub where Keith and his brothers were play in their band ‘Midnight Hearse’. Julia had a tremendous sense of humour and a fun afternoon with plenty of laughter was guaranteed.
Julia, Gabriel, Dawn and I would have days out together. I particularly remember going to Sherwood Forest to a Robin Hood day and after that Gabriel and Dawn playing Robin Hood and Maid Marian in the car coming home.
Then came Wayne and I had Owen and the need for more room meant we both moved house in Bradford.
Julia loved the Bronte sisters and on more than one occasion we set off to Howarth for a day out with a picnic. Julia would spend hours looking at the small manuscripts on display in the old vicarage and talking to the curators of the house. We usually bought another second hand book of the Bronte’s for Julia to read.
I always remember one day, Owen had been poorly as a very small baby and Manfred was working in the South of England. I was exhausted after sleepless nights and rang Julia to come over the next day. She came, told me to go and have a sleep and she would mind Owen. When I got up, she had done all my ironing, cleaned the kitchen and hoovered up! And that was typical of Julia, practical and supportive and always there to give all when needed.
When Julia and family moved to USA I missed her tremendously but luckily she came to visit when visiting relatives in England. The last time I saw her was in 2006, we stayed together in Bradford and walked around all our old familiar routes. We visited the mill, now closed, and walked into Bradford reminiscing together about our early times as young mothers and no trip to Bradford was complete for Julia with out a trip back to Howarth. Finding the walk up the steep street to the vicarage harder than we remembered, we scrutinised the manuscripts and enjoyed lunch in the local. A lovely women and dearest friend, she will be sadly missed.
From Angie Shaw
Rest in peace my lovely sister x
From Sonja Spelman
Julia's Canadian Family will miss her. Her visits to Burlington ,Ontario from both the U.K. and U.S.A. were
always enjoyable. My husband Bernie Spelman was Julia's cousin and they reminisced about growing up in Bradford
and family life. The Shaws, Cassidy's and Spelman's were wonderful folk! We met Julia the last time in Florida
for a reunion where we saw Dawn, Lee and her dear grandson Owen, who was four, and a special part of Julia's life.
Family was always her number one priority. We know she left far too young but left a legacy of love
and caring. Our hearts go out to family and her many wonderful friends. May she rest in peace ,be remembered well,
and we will all miss her. Loving thoughts , Sonjaxx
From Suzel Taber-Shaw
Julie was my sister in law. I will always remember what a great lust for life and for knowledge she had - everything seemed to interest her. She was a good friend to me, along with Susan, during my brief stay in LA and I will always remember our 'girls' nights out' fondly; not least because Julie was very much the team leader and always on a mission!! It is a tragic shame that she has gone so early and if I were to think of any appropriate phrase which springs to mind when I think of her it would be 'Places to go, things to do'.
From Angela Gleeson
Angela and Pat, County Tipperary, Ireland - We are deeply saddened by the death of our cousin Julia. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dawn and Wayne and all the family at this time. We remember fondly Julia's first and only visit to our home a few years ago. We had such a lovely time tracing the family history and getting to know each other. Julia was so open, warm and friendly. It was great to have that precious time with her. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
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