Julia Burdick Monge

Julia Burdick Monge passed away peacefully in the afternoon of Sunday, August 20, 2023. She was 79 years old. Born and raised in Lake Forest, Illinois, Julia (or Judy as she was called by many) was the daughter of Winfield Newton Burdick II and Dorothy Ruth MacArthur. She grew up with a younger brother, Tony (who fondly calls her Juffy), who currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Judy is also survived by sons Justin Parry Monge (Margaret Van Winkle) of Brooklyn, New York, and Lindsay Newton Monge (Alethea Abuyuan) of San Juan Capistrano, California. Judy was a devoted grandmother to Malia (20) and James (16) Monge, and Lucas (15) and Jackson (13) Monge.

Judy was a graduate of the North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Bradford Junior College, and the Katharine Gibbs School in New York. As a young woman, she was debutante of the 1963-64 season, and was crowned Debutante of the Year. She was popular for her good looks, effervescent personality, and artistic talents. For a number of years, Judy taught art at the Isabel O'Neil Studio in New York City, which is famous for its decorative painting and faux finishing techniques.

In 2014, Judy retired and moved to Southern California after many decades in New York City. She called her move the "best decision she's ever made" and truly embraced her new life here – she spent much of her time with Lindsay and family, built a community of friends in Rancho Mission Viejo, pursued her art studies, and was able to travel, practice yoga, go on walks, attend her grandsons' school and sporting events, and experience retired life to the fullest.

Judy was well-loved by those who knew her. She is remembered as warm, caring, thoughtful, generous, funny, and easygoing. She was sincere in her compliments, quick to lend a helping hand, biting in her commentary of things and people that she despised (which elicited a lot of laughs), and kind to a fault. Judy was a gem, and she made her loved ones feel equally treasured and cherished. We will miss her forever.