Tribute

Julie Moretto passed away peacefully on February 9^th, 2023 at the age of 94 with her beloved kitty, son and daughter by her side.  She has now gone to meet Speed and Louise who’ve been patiently waiting for her “Under the clock”.

Julie was the proud and much loved mother to four adult children, (Louise/Brian, Loretta/Harry, Susan, Christopher) grandmother to four grandchildren (Michael, Nathan, Kole, Katie) and great grandmother to one great grandson (Nikolas).  Always ready with a loving hug and a warm smile for family, friends or strangers alike, Julie was cherished by those whose paths she crossed.  Her sparkley blue eyes, infectious laughter, warm smile and huge hugs will always be remembered.

Julie lived a life full of love, family and accomplishments that started in Trynka, Poland in 1928.  She arrived in Canada at the age of 9 months and her youth was spent in different communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta living and working on a farm with her family.  Eventually she moved with them to Powell River at the age of 14 taking up residence in Wildwood at the top of the hill.  It was a chance encounter while working in the Chi Gardens Café as a waitress when the love of her life “Speed” came in for a bite.  A courtship began and six months later they were married and started their life together.

Julie had a passion for learning new things and was never afraid of a challenge.

She learned to swim at 36 yrs old after almost drowning as a child, taught herself how to type at home, took night school courses in bookkeeping so she could help her husband in the family business.  She continued to do that for the next 25 years till retirement.  Being a stay-at-home mom till her four children were grown she honed her skills at cooking, baking, sewing and knitting.  You would always find her in the kitchen whipping up some delicacy from one of the many recipes she found in a magazine or heard on tv.  Her cookbooks are filled with bits and scraps of envelopes, napkins or whatever else she could jot a recipe down on.  It never phased Julie to have guests drop in at the last minute for a meal.  She always new how to stretch a meal to feed a few more mouths.  Her greatest love though was knitting and there are many in the community that are the recipient of one of her many cotton dish cloths.  The last few years of her life after the stroke she had knit over 2000 of them to donate or give as gifts.

Julie was a devout Catholic, a generous member of the Catholic Women’s League, a lifelong member of the Women of the Moose, a talented member of the Powell River Seniors and Sewers Group and the Powell River Garden Club.  A friend to everyone and always lending a helping hand when others were in need, Julie always put everyone before herself and her door was always open.  Which probably explained why she had so many neighbourhood animals always on her doorstep coming for a visit and a snack.  Julie started her love of animals living on the farm with her first pet, a horse named Rosie.  After she married there were many dogs and the odd cat that came to live in her home.  Each one cherished as much as the next.  Even the backyard chickens were treated like royalty with their own custom built coop.

Around Julie & Speed’s 20^th wedding anniversary her children gifted them a trip to Hawaii.  This started a 25 year tradition of travelling in the Spring to Waikiki.  Over the years they shared this vacation time with family and close friends.  In between these travels Julie and Speed explored Japan, Western Europe and Quebec City.  After Speed’s passing Julie participated in Catholic Pilgrimages to Eastern Europe, Mexico and a cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Vienna as well as visited family in Alaska to see the start of the Ididerod Dog Sled Races.   When her family was young, summers were spent at Kents, Palm and Mahoods beaches with her fabulous picnic lunches of fried chicken, potato salad and watermelon and lots of laughter.  Later years saw Julie and Speed take up boating in the Julio.  She had many trips up and down Desolation sound with Speed enjoying the fishing and family time and always with the dogs on board.

Julie wrote journals most of her life recording daily events, life in the community, her travels, the weather, who she had spoken to or dropped by that day, what mischief her current pet had gotten into and most of all family.  She was proud of all her children and was always telling her friends of what they had accomplished.  She regaled her family with her wonderful stories and always shared sage advice if they wanted it or not from her rich life experiences.

When Julie wasn’t cooking or baking up a storm in the kitchen she could be found in her garden planting up pots of beautiful flowers.  Her yard was her paradise, always colourful and fragrant.  There wasn’t anything she could not nurture and grow.

The family would like to extend its sincere thanks to Lucia Martinig, Julie’s caregiver and dear friend for the love and caring she showered on their mother these last 7 years.  She was a huge support not only for Julie but for her children as well.  Thanks also go out to the Stroke Club that Julie attended weekly for their caring and help, the former staff at Dale Manor, the staff at Kiwanis Village Assisted Living, Dr. Meyer, Dr Varma for his kindness and compassion, and finally the many staff at Willingdon Creek Village.  The kindness, caring and support you extended to Julie and our family in these last few months was appreciated, especially this past week on Julie’s final journey.

A celebration of Julie’s life to be held later this summer for friends.