Julie Ann Wirt

Obituary

Julie Ann Wirt (also known throughout her life as Julie Ann Cicero and born Julie Ann Noble) passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by family, friends, and an abundance of love.

Julie lived life entirely on her own terms. Whether she was raising a son at eighteen, marching for women's rights, building nearly forty-six years of sobriety, tending a garden in the Arizona desert, creating art in her studio, or helping others find recovery, she did it her way.

In her final hours, those gathered around her bed offered prayers from many traditions: the Lord's Prayer, the Serenity Prayer, Buddhist prayers, and Muslim prayers. Nothing could have been more fitting. Julie was deeply spiritual, but never confined herself to any single religion. She spent her life searching for wisdom wherever it could be found, gathering truths from many traditions and weaving them into a faith entirely her own.

Julie arrived on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1948, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Thomas Edward Noble and Bernice Virginia Cogswell Noble. Both of her parents dedicated their careers to education, serving as teachers and school principals, and they instilled in their daughters a deep respect for learning. Julie excelled in school, developed a love of reading at an early age, entered Kindergarten ahead of schedule. She spent her childhood among the pine trees of East Texas, learning to fish, swim in creeks, shoot guns, appreciate nature, and embrace the independence that would define her for the rest of her life. Julie felt most at peace when she was connected to the natural world.

Julie shared a lifelong bond with her sister, Brenda. The two fought like cats and dogs at times, as sisters often do, but their love for one another never wavered. They carried with them the same East Texas values they learned as children: loyalty to family, resilience in hard times, and a willingness to speak their minds.

She was especially close to her Aunt Vonnie and Uncle Clint, who introduced her to many of the finer things she would enjoy throughout her life: beautiful homes, elegant décor, shopping trips, good food, county fairs, and the simple joy of feeling special. From an early age, Julie was strong-willed. When teachers and family members suggested that her future options were limited to becoming a teacher or a secretary, Julie rejected both paths. Neither sounded appealing to her. She dreamed of a larger life than the one others imagined for her.

After falling in love with Jacie ("Jake") Van Widner, Julie began building that life. In August 1966, at just eighteen years old, she welcomed her only child, Edward "Shane" Widner. Mother and son often joked that they grew up together. While raising Shane, Julie modeled, attended college, and studied psychology, balancing motherhood with an endless curiosity about people and the world around her.

Many people remember Julie as thoughtful and steady, but her younger years were filled with adventure. During the 1970s she moved with Shane to Las Vegas. Shane loved telling the story of being awakened late one night so he could help count her casino winnings after a particularly lucky evening.

Las Vegas also marked the beginning of one of the most important journeys of Julie's life. It was there that she first attended Alcoholics Anonymous. Not long afterward, a friend named Wade B. handed her a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous's Big Book. Inside he wrote:

"Welcome to the rest of your life."

On August 22, 1980, Julie began what would become nearly forty-six years of sobriety.

Recovery became one of the defining commitments of her life. She dedicated herself not only to maintaining her own sobriety but to helping countless others find theirs. Even near the end of her life, her longtime friends joked that her greatest concern was not becoming dependent on pain medication. That combination of determination, humor, and commitment was quintessentially Julie. She often said that sobriety had given her a life beyond anything she could have imagined, and she spent the next forty-six years helping others discover the same possibility for themselves.

Sobriety changed Julie's life in countless ways, including helping her overcome one of her greatest fears.

Despite her adventurous spirit, Julie spent many years terrified of flying. Panic attacks made air travel feel impossible. As her recovery deepened, she gradually overcame that fear. Eventually she began flying cross-country in small airplanes, something that became one of the great joys of her life and a reminder of how much growth was possible when fear no longer called the shots.

Eventually Julie settled in Arizona, where she became a Licensed Professional Counselor. She spent many years working with individuals struggling with addiction, including high-risk offenders, helping people rebuild their lives and find hope where others often saw none. Her work was more than a profession; it was a calling.

She also found a second home in the recovery community. At her Friday night AA Mountain Meeting, Julie became a fixture and a mentor. She sponsored newcomers, organized gatherings, showed up when people needed help, and embodied the principle of service. She never forgot where she came from and never stopped reaching back to help others.

Julie's home was often filled with laughter, music, and extraordinary food. She was an exceptional cook who could move effortlessly from a perfect apple pie to a memorable chicken tikka masala. Guests rarely left her table hungry and never left without feeling welcomed.

Julie was also deeply committed to social justice. As a young woman, she participated in the original Women's Strike for Equality and remained a passionate advocate for women's rights throughout her life. She believed strongly in workplace equality, reproductive freedom, and the importance of civic engagement, carrying those convictions with her into her final years.

In June 2000, Julie's favorite title arrived: Grammy.

The birth of her only grandchild, Grace Ann Widner, brought her immeasurable joy. Over the years she spent significant time in Austin, Texas, cheering from soccer sidelines, taking shopping trips, sharing recipes, gardening together, and teaching Grace the importance of family. She taught her how to cook, how to ask questions, and how to show up for the people you love. Julie believed fiercely that family members should be there for one another, especially during life's most difficult moments. Grace and Julie were fortunate to spend abundant time together during the final year of Julie's life.

Anyone who visited Julie's home knew her greatest masterpiece was often just outside the back door. Her garden was her sanctuary. She spent countless hours tending flowers, nurturing trees, watering plants during hot Arizona nights, hanging sculptures among the branches, and creating a backyard oasis filled with beauty and whimsy.

Her creativity extended indoors as well. A lifelong artist, Julie devoted herself to painting during the early 2000s and eventually began selling her work. Many afternoons found her in her studio, Leonard Cohen playing in the background, translating thoughts and emotions into vibrant abstract acrylic paintings.

Animals always seemed to recognize a kindred spirit in Julie. As a child she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, and throughout her life she surrounded herself with beloved companions, including her Vizsla, Red Dog, and her many cats: Bandit, Furina, Kitty Bitty, Frisky, and Catamaran.

In 2004, Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy. The experience deepened her already passionate interest in nutrition and wellness. She became an avid researcher, constantly exploring new ideas about food, supplements, and healthy living. She believed that nourishing the body could be both healing and joyful.

In March 2026, Julie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after nearly eighteen months of persistent symptoms. Earlier testing had revealed benign pancreatic tumors with a high likelihood of becoming cancerous. True to form, Julie approached the diagnosis with determination. She researched treatments, clinical trials, nutrition, and every possible avenue available to her.

Even as her health declined, Julie remained deeply engaged with life. She kept up with current events, cared fiercely about women's rights, and always wanted to know what was happening in the world. After her diagnosis, she was still planning a bathroom renovation, researching ideas and thinking through every detail. Cancer may have changed the course of her life, but it never changed who she was. She never stopped making plans for the future, asking questions, or looking for something new to learn.

Above all else, Julie loved deeply. She loved her family, her friends, her recovery community, her garden, her art, her animals, and the simple fact that people could continue becoming better versions of themselves.

Julie now joins her parents, Thomas Edward Noble and Bernice Virginia Cogswell Noble, and her beloved aunt and uncle, Vonnie Gene Henry and Charles Clinton ("Clint") Henry.

She is survived by her son, Edward "Shane" Widner; her granddaughter, Grace Ann Widner; her sister, Brenda Laskoskie; brother-in-law, Clarence Laskoskie; niece, Deidre Laskoskie; great-niece, Zoe Laskoskie Willis and her husband, Cameron Willis; great-great-niece, Wrenley Willis; and countless friends, sponsees, neighbors, and loved ones whose lives she touched.

Julie often told her family that after she was gone, she hoped they would look for signs from her. In her final moments, Shane reminded everyone gathered at her bedside to keep an eye out. The next morning, a golden retriever puppy appeared at her front door and walked into the house as if he belonged there. Julie believed in reincarnation. If that puppy was Julie, welcome home. If not, it was definitely sent by her.

The flowers she planted will bloom again.
The paintings will remain on the walls.
The songs will keep playing.
The people she counseled, sponsored, mentored, or simply called a friend will carry her wisdom and lessons forward.
And through them, her love will continue reaching people she never had the chance to meet.
For those who knew Julie, that is enough to know that she is not truly gone.

"Welcome to the rest of your life."

Celebration of Life

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to organizations supporting addiction recovery, cancer research, animal welfare, women's rights, environmental conservation, or simply performing an act of kindness for someone in need.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Northtown Clubhouse, 2202 E. Waltann Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

The gathering will begin with an opportunity for family and friends to share memories and stories of Julie. Afterward, we will enjoy a potluck meal, music, laughter, and fellowship, just as she would have wanted. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share and, if they're so inclined, an instrument as well. Please reach out to Grace Widner (512-470-3575) or Shane Widner (602-516-2252) with any questions.

Gallery

Memory wall