Julie Ann Englehart

It has taken a long time for me to be able to write this message. Julie, was more my sister than friend. We met in first grade at St. Patrick School, where we went through all eight years together. We visited each other’s homes to play. We spent the night several times. We enjoyed playing Barbies. I was jealous that Julie’s dolls had such nice clothes, made by her mom. Later, when visiting me, we would walk to the stow shopping center, to shop, mostly looking, since we didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Once, I remember the lunch we ate at a table in a dinette area of one of the stores. We ordered chocolate pudding, orange pop and cut up a huge kosher pickle that we bought at Click’s, to share. We felt daring, and actually enjoyed the ‘meal’. When visiting Julie, I remember playing with the two dogs. One was named Tilly. Since I wasn’t allowed to have a pet, I enjoyed this so much. We were campfire girls together, my mom was the campfire leader along with Mrs. Whalen. The picture I submitted, was a picture of our campfire girls picnic at Fred Fuller Park. Julie is beside me, talking to Theresa Brett. Even after more than 50 years, Julie could name each girl in the picture! Her memory was phenomenal! We lost track of each other for a period of time, since we went to different high schools. But, we reconnected afterwards, when we had access to cars. Julie went to Bulheckers Business School and often, she’d drive past me waiting for the KSU bus that was going to take me to my nursing clinicals.
We made sure that we made time to occasionally go for dinner, to catch up, or call each other, talking for long periods of time. I was a bridesmaid in Julie’s wedding twice. I was honored to stand up with her.
We had our first two babies within weeks of each other. When Jennifer was born on my due date, I was so happy that she had her sweet baby, and I visited her after she discharged home. I was still hugely pregnant, and still had labor ahead of me. With my third pregnancy, Julie absolutely refused to have another baby just because I was again expecting—that was our running joke. A bit before I was due, she brought her little girls over for a play date with my boys. She brought a small gift bag for me to enjoy in the hospital (after delivery), which included a romance novel, a small perfume, a Hershey bar, and a card with a note of encouragement. I will never forget that sweet kindness!
When my father was in hospice at home, and I received a call that I was needed there, Julie dropped everything, came to my home with her girls, to watch my boys, so I could go say goodby to my dad. She watched my youngest son, so I could attend his funeral. She was always there for me. Especially when I lost my husband. I could call her to talk. She was a good listener. We had play dates and birthday parties with our children.
I often did not feel like I was there for her, especially when she received her breast cancer diagnosis, then surgery and treatment. But, not too long afterward, we had several ‘girl evenings’ —Julie would come over, and we each had a paper bag of goodies to share, while we watched a favorite movie in huge recliners. Julie would always have some handiwork to do as we watched and ate our snacks. She either had a cross stitch project, knitting or crocheting. Her hands were never idle. At my request, she tried to teach me cross stitch on a simple pattern. I found that I was not at all good at this and found that I got frustrated and angry with myself. Years later, I would use this example when I did relaxation groups with patients. I explained that my friend Julie would talk about getting up early in the mornings, so she could drink coffee and work on a project like cross stitch. It relaxed her, and made a good start to her day. For me, I would get frustrated, and jab at the cloth with my needle, making a mess of everything. (The point being, is that everyone needs to practice what relaxes them). Julie laughed heartily when she learned that she was often a part of my groups!
After reconnecting again, we’d often meet at Yours Truly, order our favorite omelette and coffee. We could talk for 2 to 3 hours. Julie came to live with me during a particularly difficult time in her life. She, at first hesitated to do so, but, I pointed out that I loved her dearly, I had a house, I would respect her privacy, and I was tired of living alone. Julie and I lived together for just shy of 4 years. We often spent our off times together—especially since this was during Covid. We had an Easter celebration at home, with all the fixings, including homemade cookies, and Julie making her deviled eggs from the colored eggs. We cooked for each other. She loved my tuna casserole, roast beef, and the oatmeal chocolate cookies. She tolerated some Indian food. I loved her chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, cherry squares, crazy chocolate cake and apple walnut cake. Her baking was always from scratch. She made huge amounts of Christmas cookies. She always made pies. She loved to bake. We often would eat dinner, watching favorite old movies. She loved animals, and regretted that she did not have a dog or cat of her own, but she loved my old standard poodle, Maddie. She would encourage this tall gangly dog to sit on her lap, while she cuddled and rubbed her down. Julie loved animals, having owned and loved many dogs and cats, over the years. She fostered many animals. She volunteered time to help find homes for some of the cats she fostered. Julie also used her sewing skills as a band mom, telling stories about the uniforms she helped to maintain She also made layettes for stillborn babies, through a program. She also designed a rolling case for sewing machines, and worked for several years, trying to start her own business. Julie worked with home bound patients as an aid. Her patients and families came to love her, and she, them. Julie always, always talked about her girls, Kate and Jen. She talked about her sons in law, Ryan and Melvin, who she said called her ‘mama Julie’. This tickled her. She spent some time, one year, tracking down a certain brand of whiskey, a Christmas gift for Ryan. She found it! She talked about her grandchildren, who brought her joy. I watched her make gifts for them. One Christmas, one of the little girls got a hand-sewn baby doll. The doll was a work of art, and a work of love! Julie also talked about her sisters, Susie and Brenda. She loved them. She really enjoyed talking about her quilting get away weekends with Susie. Julie enjoyed getting together for family reunions, and would make a huge pot of harvest stew to take. She visited with her nephews and nieces when they were in town. She really enjoyed meeting with her high school buds, Brenda and Grace. She’d tell me about the lovely weddings she attended of her friends’ children. Julie always intended to catch up on projects. Such as quilts for her grandchildren. And, to finish Jen’s wedding quilt. She worked full time on evening shift, drove a distance to and from work, and dealt with her never ending medical appointments, and so she never felt she had the time. This was a time of great changes and challenges for Julie. She dealt with each medical issue with courage and strength. She was aware almost immediately of each new problem, and made sure she got the care she needed. It seemed as though as she surmounted one hurdle, another was placed before her.
Julie would discuss her issues and concerns with me sometimes, then call her providers—who often would agree with her, and plan accordingly. Finally, Julie was aware that her memory, and other mechanical abilities were compromised. This was a Friday evening, she had not gone to work, and was waiting to tell me about it. Within two days, Julie was with Jen, who could monitor her, and take her to the emergent care she needed.
She would call or text, to update me, to express her concerns, frustrations. But, also her determination to stay positive. Julie had plans for her future. She hoped to keep those plans. She always followed her providers’ directions. She kept moving forward as best she could. For a while Julie kept up with her sewing and knitting. This past December, she said that she got some wonderful puzzles to put together for Christmas. In January, it was hard for her to admit, but she had put away those puzzles. With each challenge, Julie was open about it, but, against all of those odds, she remained positive. She continued to love and appreciate her family and friends. I am grateful that she was my friend, and sister of the heart. I was able to FaceTime several times. The last FaceTime, I was able to tell her that I loved her, and to say goodbye. I told her I would work on issues, as she had strongly told me to do, (just before she was to have one of her surgeries). Julie could be feisty and she was honest. She continues to be my hero, teaching me, all of us really, what is courage. And what is love. I will miss you Julie. I love you!
Lizzy. Xxx

I miss Mom.

I miss her infectious laugh--The way she would laugh if she told a story or laugh at someone else’s story. Or bust out a laugh at one of her favorite TV shows. I miss all of our little inside jokes.

She was the most caring, kind, sweet, compassionate, thoughtful, and loving person I knew. To know her, was to love her. Our husbands even affectionately called her “Momma J”. Mom not only loved her family, close friends, and neighbors; she loved animals too.

When Mom found out she was going to be a ‘Grammie,’ she was elated! Mom loved her grandkids--Owen, Nora, and Isla. She also loved visiting her ‘other grandkids’ (in canine form) when she visited us in Arizona---Molly, Dallas, and Dierks! She always loved her fur babies—in real form or even on television, she would say, “Look at that baby…” She often fostered kittens and even ended up adopting some of her fosters. Mom even took in my cats when I moved into my first apartment due to the no pet policy, and she cared for them until they grew old and passed.

Mom’s craft was creativity. Mom quilted, crocheted, knitted, sewed and cross-stitched. She also tried out many new crafts and projects over the years such as jewelry making, clay figures, purses, and even rhinestone embellishments! I always felt like Mom could make anything! If she wasn’t familiar with something, she would dive in, learning fast, with all the ‘doo-dads’ to accompany the new craft. I have many memories in Mom’s sewing rooms over the years. From homemade Halloween costumes to Raggedy Ann dolls, to quilts, quilt balls, felt projects, baby blankets, baby clothes---you name it—Mom was always working on something, and it wasn’t uncommon for her to have several projects going at once!

Mom, Jen, and I often attended craft shows. When we went together, we were going to spend the day. Some of the craft shows we would attend would be Yankee Peddler, Christmas in the Woods, and Shaker in the Woods. Mom loved to stroll and look at all the vendor’s crafts, but she would also get some of her ideas at these events! Mom also attended craft shows as a vendor herself, selling her own creations as well. She also donated and gifted many of her creations.

One of the memories I have that I enjoyed as a child is when Mom would take Jen and I with neighbors or friends out to Fell Lake for the day to swim and play. It always felt like an adventure, and we looked forward to it every summer.

When we were in high school, Mom volunteered for the very fitting “Uniform Mom” title with the Hudson High School Swing Marching Band. Every marching band season, she would oversee the uniform assignment process with other volunteer Moms working beside her, fitting 300 band members for uniforms. Mom would attend every event with her bag of goodies, fixing a hem on a pant, tending to a ripped seam, delving out gloves, and the like!

I was looking for a recipe the other day and found that I have quite a few of Mom’s recipes that she used to whip up often, written in her very own handwriting. And can you guess what most of the recipes are?? Yes!! Sweets! Mom loved her sweets! And as Jen mentioned, Mom would often say, “You know what would go good with this? Vanilla ice cream!”

I will miss her voice, her reassurance and her advice. I will miss picking up the phone to call her on my drive to or from work or just because to hear her say, “Hi Chickie!”.

May I also say my deepest gratitude and appreciation for my sister Jen and her family for being present for our Mom. Especially, over the last 3 years, when they cared for her. This is never an easy task, but they did it with honor, respect and love. So, thank you.

Thank you to all who have shared and continue to share memories of our Mom on the wall. We enjoy reading other’s memories of her and encourage you to share.

I miss my mom. A lot. It’s taken me some time to find words to help paint the memory of the mom I knew. Gentle, passionate, compassionate, strong, optimistic, creative, and loving. I hate that she got dealt a real shit card with her health, but she took it on with optimism, courage, and strength. Until the very end. It was truly an honor to have her living with us and to care for her, these last 6 months especially, and know that she was receiving the best possible care.

My mom’s love language was making. Anything. Making quilts, crocheting or knitting blankets and hats to be donated to various organizations. Sewing a bag or a little, what she, Katie, and I called a little “pockey purse”. Raggedy Anne dolls with the loopy red hair yarn hair, and it was my job to cut all the loops. Stockings and mittens (so many mittens)!

She didn’t like online shopping because she couldn’t feel it. She had to be able to touch and feel it. She loved colors and patterns and was very talented with arranging them to create beautiful things.

She loved a new project and committed fully to each new craft. There was no dipping of toes in. It was a full plunge with all the accessories to boot.

At home we knew the difference between paper scissors and sewing scissors and we frequently heard “Those better not be my sewing scissors !” from across the house if she heard the slightest snip.

During mine and Katie’s high school years she had the prestigious title of “uniform mom” for the Hudson High School Swing Marching Band. She helped fit 300 high schoolers, each sweaty stinky band season, into polyester uniforms. She was there before pregame inspections to help sew back on missing buttons , dole out new gloves , and fix a hem on a pant.

She was also an animal lover. She was kind and compassionate and became a foster to many litters of kittens and cats. Many cats and dogs even found permanent residence with her. She wrangled her fair share of domestic and feral alike and had the scars on her arms to prove it.

She loved her sweets. She liked to say about something especially rich and sweet, “You know what would go good with this? A scoop of vanilla ice cream!”

She was Grammie to 3 grandchildren , and she loved to spend time with them. The kids liked her room best for coloring because she had a nice big sewing table. Nora would frequently sneak in there and help herself to fabric pieces she had cut and stacked so she could use them in her doll and Barbie houses. My mom watched The Grinch countless times with Isla snuggled up in bed with her. She patiently listened to Owen as he showed her new Geometry Dash levels he designed or other video games he was playing.

I miss my mom. A lot. Reading these notes and memories on the wall has been a gift. Thank you to everyone that has checked in and reached out in some way.

Julie was a special person in my life growing up. We are cousins through our Mom's Freda (Aunt Fritzi) & Bernie.
She was my Geauga Lake partner for many years as I always asked her to go to my Dad's company picnic with me. So MUCH fun!
We played house in the wonderful, huge play room they had in the basement of their house on 18... & out back in the apple orchard & beyond!
The family lived with ours when they sold one house & bought another & needed a place to stay in between. So MANY happy memories there, playing, playing, playing. I think I was in 4th grade & she was in 5th. We even got into trouble when it was discovered we were 'snooping' for Christmas presents! Whose idea was that?! Hmm
As it happens so many times, -- we grew up, grew apart. But the times we did happen to meet up in the future, the bond was still there!
I have often in the past, described Julie a quiet, gentle soul. She also had a little bit of orneriness in her, which I believe she got from her dad!
I am so grateful I got to see her that last time before I moved to Florida. To Susie (Robin) Brenda & her daughters, please know how much I loved & cherish our friendship in those early years so much.
You are all in my thoughts & prayers at this time & beyond.

Quilt given to my son 38 years ago. Regifted to his daughter!

Baby quilt and blanket, made by Julie.

So many happy memories with Aunt Julie! I was lucky enough to get to join Mom and Aunt Julie on quilt shop hops and quilting retreats, doing some show and tells on finished projects and works in progress. See her creativity in action. She was always happy to take a baby off your hands with a “give me that baby”. And her quick witted humor was just like Grandpa’s. We love you. - “Laura Jean”

How do you say goodbye to someone who has been in your life for as long as you can remember? With great heartache to start with but then the memories come flooding in. Playing dolls together in the house on Meloy Rd, playing in the snow, sled riding down the hill, bike riding up and down the road. There were trips to PA, Detroit and many other places to visit family. We shared a love of sewing, quilting, crocheting and baking. She would call me and say "the voices in my head are talking to me" and I knew she was looking at a new quilt pattern or quilt shop adventure. She was my biggest cheerleader when I got my cancer diagnosis. She understood the journey.
She leaves a legacy in her beautiful family, lovely young ladies, their loving husbands, her dear grandchildren and all the lives she touched.
You are loved and missed greatly!!

Dear God. Thank you for letting our lives be brought together with Julie's. For giving her such a sincere heart that was felt by all her family and friends. May they feel sronger your love for them as she sees you face to face. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Some of my best memories are from the family reunions. Playing in the backfield was so much fun. It was an adventure. And talking with Robin and Julie about Sewing. Julie’s skill just was phenomenal. She was a gentle woman and soft spoken. Everyone in the family just loved her. She touched everybody’s life in such a special way. 🤟♥️

Julie was a wonderful person. I dearly Love her. I considered her family. Her smile was incredible. . She was like a sister to my sister Grace. They were amazing friends forever over 55 years. My deepest condolences to all her family and my sister Grace and Brenda.

To my beautiful sister. You touched many lives with your heart. You truly were a wonderful sister. I love you and will miss you but your memory will live on.
I have memories of Christmas time and cookies you made. Picking up apples for cider. Playing in the yard and more.
Time doesn't stand still but memories will always last.
Fly high and I love you
Love,
Me

Aunt Julie was an amazing person. She had a contagious laugh and a sense of humor that was insightful and entertaining but also kind. I particularly loved when she would tell a story and her laughter would sort of running away with the ending. She was a gentle person who loved fiercely and I am so thankful that I had the privilege of being one of her “chickies”.