Julia and I met in the school yard at Roslyn; I was in grade six, she in grade 5. We became better friends a year later after my parents had separated and we moved around the corner from Julia's family.
Julia's family moved to Holland for a few years (we became great letter writers) and by the time she started at WHS, I was being shipped off to boarding school. At this same time, Julia's mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and although having just turned 15 and having started at WHS, Julia became her primary caretaker. Her mother died the following spring. Despite the impact on her school attendance, Julia still managed to finish high school a year ahead of schedule.
Julia was a creative and talented artist and craftsperson. Early on, she apprenticed in Maryland as a duck carver, later selling her carvings at shows and training carvers herself. Julia and one of my cousins then opened a store in Ottawa, representing the work of local and international artists and craftspersons. Later, living and raising two young daughters in Victoria with her partner, Nick, Julia started a successful business transforming driftwood from the beach into Santas and wizards. Julia eventually shifted the focus of her work to creating a myriad of beautiful and unique Christmas ornaments that were sold all over North America. Although part-Jewish and not the least bit religious, Christmas had always reminded Julia of her happiest childhood memories with her mother and family.
Although our lives and interests took different directions, and we didn't live in the same region until 2011 (Julia lived in various locations in Ontario, BC, Quebec and Alberta), Julia and I remained in frequent contact over the years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and Julia died at home on May 29, 2012, surrounded by her longtime partner, Nick Stocks, as well as her two daughters, Gabrielle and Natasha.
This photo was taken of me and Julia at my place in Vancouver in the mid 1990s.
Cynthia Johnston
Julia and I met in the school yard at Roslyn; I was in grade six, she in grade 5. We became better friends a year later after my parents had separated and we moved around the corner from Julia's family.
Julia's family moved to Holland for a few years (we became great letter writers) and by the time she started at WHS, I was being shipped off to boarding school. At this same time, Julia's mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and although having just turned 15 and having started at WHS, Julia became her primary caretaker. Her mother died the following spring. Despite the impact on her school attendance, Julia still managed to finish high school a year ahead of schedule.
Julia was a creative and talented artist and craftsperson. Early on, she apprenticed in Maryland as a duck carver, later selling her carvings at shows and training carvers herself. Julia and one of my cousins then opened a store in Ottawa, representing the work of local and international artists and craftspersons. Later, living and raising two young daughters in Victoria with her partner, Nick, Julia started a successful business transforming driftwood from the beach into Santas and wizards. Julia eventually shifted the focus of her work to creating a myriad of beautiful and unique Christmas ornaments that were sold all over North America. Although part-Jewish and not the least bit religious, Christmas had always reminded Julia of her happiest childhood memories with her mother and family.
Although our lives and interests took different directions, and we didn't live in the same region until 2011 (Julia lived in various locations in Ontario, BC, Quebec and Alberta), Julia and I remained in frequent contact over the years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and Julia died at home on May 29, 2012, surrounded by her longtime partner, Nick Stocks, as well as her two daughters, Gabrielle and Natasha.
This photo was taken of me and Julia at my place in Vancouver in the mid 1990s.
- Cynthia Johnston