JULIA PARKER WALLIN (LEWTHWAITE, BAILEY)

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JULIA PARKER WALLIN
(LEWTHWAITE, BAILEY)

Passed away on January 12, 2023, at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND.
Julia had a vivacious love of life. Music was a part of her soul. Always seeing the positive in people and in life, our Julia will be missed by many. She cherished relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Maintaining these connections through the years was evidenced by the 200+ Christmas cards sent out one holiday season. With style, charm and a compassionate, generous spirit Julia made lasting and many new friendships everywhere she went. Always a gracious host, she loved holding gatherings in her Grand Forks home as well as the family cottage at Ponemah, MB. Julia was born in Flin Flon, MB in 1938 to Bill and Olive Lewthwaite. The family moved to Emerson, MB in the mid 1940s. Mum appreciated growing up in a small town often sharing many stories of the adventures she had with her gal pals and her "best" friend, little sister Bridget tagging along. Judy had fond memories of cousin gatherings in Redvers, SK. Julia attended Balmoral Hall, University of Manitoba and later graduated from St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing in Winnipeg, MB. She married Ken Bailey in 1959, together they spent time living in England where daughter Rochelle was born, in Montreal and Toronto where son Kevin was born and eventually moving back to Winnipeg. Her marriage to Paul Wallin in 1975 brought Julia and her family to Grand Forks, ND where she continued with her beloved nursing career enabling her to care for others in many capacities. As a registered nurse working in psychiatry with NEHSC for 25+ years, she dutifully carried out her role along with giving sage advice and words of wisdom to clients and co-workers. Julia even came out of retirement to fill in at NEHSC when needed.
Facing the challenges in her life, including two floods and the passing of her husband Paul, Julia handled them head on, with true grit and determination. Traits which along with her spirit for life have been instilled in her children. Community was always important to Julia. She was an enthusiastic participant in many local organizations. From curling, The Sweet Adeline's, church choirs and the Fire Hall Theatre to birding, book club, music of all kinds and Supper Clubs, she gave 100%. These activities included serving in executive roles for the GF Curling Club and The Fire Hall Theatre. A lifelong love of travelling took her to two Olympic Summer games (Montreal and Los Angeles), many parts of Europe, New Zealand and Australia and numerous visits to BC to visit Kevin and grandson Jacob. Summers at the cottage on Lake Winnipeg with Rochelle and numerous family and friends that came to visit was a time Julia looked forward to each year.
Julia was preceded by her husband Paul and sister Bridget. Survived by daughter Rochelle, son Kevin and grandson Jacob, brother-in-law Gary (Diane) and many nephews and cousins.
In the past few years Mum was able to stay in her beloved and treasured home largely due to the generous help of special neighbours Deb and Catherine and home helper Nancy and special NE friends especially Gerri. Julia remained a lifelong member of the United Church of Canada and Federated Church in Grand Forks. The family would like to thank the staff at Valley Senior Living (Columbia) and Red River Hospice for their care of Julia.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring at The Family of God Church in East Grand Forks, MN. Notification of the date will be published later in the Winnipeg Free Press Obituary section.
The family request in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: Prairie Paws Rescue, P.O. Box 1114, Jamestown, ND 58401 (as they were able to find Mum's precious companion Bon Ami, a new forever home).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2023