Julia Cecilia Edwina Crawford
June 12, 2017
CRAWFORD, Julia Cecilia Edwina – At University Hospital, on Monday, June 12th, 2017, surrounded by her loving family, Julia Crawford of London, died at the age of 79, following a sudden illness. Born May 31, 1938 in Essex, England, and raised in Enniskillen, Ireland, the eldest daughter of the late Jack Crawford and Alice Elliott.
At the tender age of 19, Julia travelled the great Atlantic inviting new adventure and promising opportunities into her life. She met a Canadian soldier, Kenneth Laverne Lee, and welcomed five sons into the world. In motherhood, Julia found her purpose passing down a piece of her legacy and bold Irish heritage in each of her charming, adventurous and brazen boys. The very qualities Julia emanated in life inherited uniquely in each son, who became men of great talent and ambition.
Julia was also a woman of remarkable strength and resourcefulness. Amidst the calamity of raising five young rabble-rousers she found the time, the energy and the devotion to excel in her studies and become a Registered Nurses Assistant (RNA).
A mother, a friend and a professional woman, Julia was unstoppable, exuding a confidence and a drive that her colleagues and, most certainly, her family could turn to in times of need and lean on in need of strength and compassion.
But her joie de vivre, her one meaningful purpose and the true love that put the skip in her step, the melody in her song and the shine in her ocean blue eyes was Richard (Dick) Huard. Together, Dick and his “Enniskillin Girl” became an inseparable team, deeply devoted to one another sharing adventures as they travelled extensively to visit friends and relatives.
Julia is survived by Dick, her loving partner of 30 years, sons Doug (spouse Sharon) of Charleston, South Carolina; Gavin (spouse Mary) of Comox, BC; Stephen (spouse Susan) of Mississauga, ON; Jason of Fort St. John, BC; and Ryan (partner Jenna) of Toronto, along with six grandchildren Jessica, Casandra, Kelsey, Gillian, Zach, and Nate and three great-grandchildren Cadyn, Chase and Reid; her younger sister Jacqui and niece Erin Whiley of Norwich, England.
On her extended Huard family, she is survived by Jack, Jeff (spouse Janice), Jenny (spouse Mike), and Joanne (spouse Adam); grandchildren Calvin, Amelia, Dustin (spouse Nikki) and Danielle, and great-grandchildren Breonna and Georgia.
A Celebration of Life will be held at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, on Sunday, June 18th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:00 -2:00 p.m. Light refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks donations be considered for Parkwood Hospital where Julia worked for 26 years before retiring in 2002. For information and online condolences please visit www.westviewfuneralchapel.com
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After a proper sendoff (which reached well into the night) we here at the Barnes house are all missing Julia and indeed the comradery of the others that were lucky enough to call her family. Hope someone can organize a list of contacts so we can somehow keep Julia's clan united. Thank you to her boys and Richard for arranging a service that spoke so perfectly about her life and to Richard and Julia's extended clan for attending this beautiful service. It was so great to spend time with you all.
So sorry to hear of Julia's passing, Just found out today or we would have come to see you in person. Julia was a lovely lady. I worked with her at Parkwood and she looked after Rob. Miss you kid, hope you are quilting in heaven.
Julia Crawford was not only an amazing woman, mother and grandmother, but the woman who taught me the importance of pursuing my dreams, shared stories of her childhood, my mannerisms, and helped me become such a young lady since the day I could merely speak, looking around today, I can see how many hearts she touched as she did mine, and how many loved her, I look around and see my beautiful family, the one she made and brought up to be strong and loving, I see all of her in each of you. I hear her in my uncle's voices, her vibrant and tough, dry wit in my sister, and her sweet, caring proper self in Cassie, as for myself, I have memories, and almost everything wonderful about how I was raised. I love you grandma, thank you for 13 amazing years
Julia was one in a million. She loved life & lived life to the fullest. Family was everything to her and she was so very proud of her boys & their accomplishments. Richard was the love of her life who could put a twinkle in her eye just at the mention of his name. And the grandchildren they shared were the light of her life. Over the years we shared a lot of laughs & some tough times too. I'm so going to miss my forever friend & she will never be forgotten.
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
Julia, what a light you were in so many lives. I am so glad that you were part of our lives for over 20 years. Sixty years you were to celebrate with friends, your arrival into Canada at the end of this month. Canada is a better place for your decision to immigrate so many years ago. I am so glad that I got to meet your boys, after hearing so much about them and your lovely granddaughters. I am sure you were smiling that impish grin of yours at all the tributes given, especially from your sons and Richard. I will miss your wonderful smile and great laugh at family gatherings and times together as couples. Richard, we are here for you as you bravely carry on without the love of your life. I plan on planting a purple perennial in my garden and watch it grow and flourish in memory of a good friend.
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
(Donated to Parkwood Institute )
Julia was an awesome person . I'm going to miss her. Rest In Peace . My heartfelt condolences to the family .
Richard and all of Julia's family: I am grateful to have had Julia in my family circle for so many years; we celebrated family birthdays and special holidays together, and Julia's addition to the menu was always so tasty. We shared many laughs and even a few tears. She was my friend and I will miss her. With my condolences to you all, Vivian
It was such a shock to hear yesterday that your Julia had passed away. To you, Richard, and to everyone in your family orbit, we send heartfelt condolences . I speak for all the Kershaw clan. You are in our thoughts, with much love.
Our family sends our deepest condolences. We remember Julia as a kind, gentle and gracious lady. We always enjoyed her interesting conversations at the cottage with family and friends. We particularly remember her beautiful quilts. We admire her for raising 5 boys. She will be deeply missed. Sending big hugs and prayers to all of you. 💜💜💜
To all of Julia's family, I am so sorry for the loss of your "Mum", "Grandma" and "Life Partner" I am grateful that I had the opportunity of knowing her. I know that the special memories you all have will keep Julia close to you - as she would have wanted. Thinking of you and sending much love.
Our hearts were broken to hear the news about Julia. We are so sorry for your loss. We have you in our thoughts and are sending lots of love.
To Richard Jack Jeff Janice Jen Mike Joanne Adam and the grandchildren. I am so very saddened for the loss of your dear Julia. She leaves a lasting memory in your heats. May the sorrow you feel now be healed in time. May you all smile at the memories you all have. I am so sorry that you have to say goodbye to someone so special. My condolences to the family. Hugs and love to each and everyone of you. Jen Mike I will see you at work. Thinking of you all. Colleen Fryer!
As a fellow Irish woman and fellow collegue, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Julia when I first came to Parkwood. Now retired myself, I will always remember her sparkling smile, light heartedness and her ability to make one's day's greater just by having a little chat! Many a patient benefited from her tender care! So sorry for your loss!
My sincere sympathy to all of Julia's family. I was so saddened to hear of your loss. Working with Julia, many years ago at Parkwood, was a true joy. She brought much fun to our day, compassion for patients and colleagues alike, a quest to learn and a determination to provide quality care. Since moving away from the area, I treasured regular contact with Julia through Christmas cards and the occasional phone call. I did not get to see her very often but I will certainly miss her.
Richard and family - we are not going to be with you as you say your final farewells to Julia on Sunday but we want you to know that all of you are very much in our thoughts and prayers. We trust your many wonderful memories will keep her close in your hearts and may she rest in peace!! Our deepest sympathies!!
Mum, Losing my parents was heart wrenching. You watch with me the physical and mental well-being of Hub and Maxine wither and held me close in your tender embrace as I grieved. You also stepped into, ever so kindly and without intrusion, the role of a mother. An ear on the other end of the phone, a woman to woman companionship based on mutual respect and admiration. I love the grandmother you were (and still are in our hearts) to Gillian. You were there raising her alongside us and sometime for us when business and military duty took us away, and for that I have much gratitude. Gillian can now sing songs and recite poems completely ridiculous in nature yet powerful for the time, place and purpose for which they were shared. In you I found strength. By your example I saw the true meaning of love and what life in the arms of your soulmate can and should be about - laughing together, exploring new adventures together, repeating each other's thoughts and sentences, bonding in one another. It's with upmost respect yet heartbreak I look back upon our mother-daughter relationship and say, 'How lucky I am to have had Julia in my life.
It was so sad to hear of Julia's passing. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone and it was such a joy to work with at Parkwood. She was loved and will be missed by many.
I was saddened and shocked to read about Julia's passing. Julia was so full of energy and life and she was always looking ahead to what fun adventures she and Richard ( Patti you are right, I could not write D----)were planning. I cannot assimilate she is gone. :{ Julia loved Richard and her family and I admired her ability to celebrate the differences of each of her sons and as a co worker how she only saw the best in people. Julia was a skilled knitter and quilter and her projects showed her love of colours and texture; she brought colour and texture to eveyones' life. Her compassion, sense of humour and her fierce determination to be inclusive will be greatly missed. To get a sense of Julias's irrreverent sense of humour, google Jean Oddi obit. and laugh and know that Julia will be laughing along with you. Heaven just got that much better with Julia in it. Fondly,Rosemary
Oh Richard (they won't let me type D*** Julia's laughing at that I'm sure) my heart breaks for you and the family. Julia was truly one in a million. When I look up to the sky and see a sparkling star I will think of you girl's twinkling eyes. Love to you.
Dearest "Auntie Julia" We are so sad to see you go but you have left us with so many wonderful, funny memories. What fun we had raising our nine boys and seeing them grow into fabulous young men. You may be gone from us but you will never be forgotten. Love Tom, Joan, Bradley, Christopher, Craig (Sue) and Nathan Smith
I will miss my Grandma Julia soooooooo much! She always came to our house with funny stories to share and treats as well! Love Amelia
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