Julia Starkey Wilkinson

Julia Starkey Wilkinson

May 12, 1930 - July 05, 2018
Lake Forest CA

Julia Starkey Wilkinson

May 12, 1930 - July 05, 2018
Lake Forest CA

Obituary

Julia Starkey Wilkinson

Julia Starkey Wilkinson went home to be the Lord on Thursday, July 5th, 2018, after a sudden diagnosis of a very aggressive and fast-growing uterine cancer. She follows her beloved husband Bob Wilkinson who died from Parkinson’s Disease in 2005.  She is survived by her two daughters, Karen Wilkinson and Christie Wilkinson Lopez, and son of her heart Gary Lopez.   Julia was born in Roanoke, Virginia, May 12, 1930, to Annie and Ebb Starkey of Virginia.  Her only sister and best friend, Ella Mae Epes, passed November 25th, 2017. Julia lived in Bedford, VA until she was a Freshman in High School and then her family moved to Blackstone, VA where she graduated from Blackstone High School as Co-Valedictorian in 1948. She graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia with a BA in Radio and Dramatic Arts in 1952. The summer after graduating college she spent a season at Summer Stock at Martha’s Vineyard and participated in several local theater productions with great enjoyment.  She worked in broadcasting in Richmond, VA where she was introduced by her roommate to a handsome young golf professional, Bob Wilkinson, who was from Crewe, VA, just next to her hometown!  Bob was the love of her life and she always referred to him as “My Bob”.  Julia and Bob were married in Riverside, CA on July 10, 1957 and lived in California for several years until golf career opportunities took them back to the Midwest.  While in California, Julia worked for a family owned radio station in Riverside, WKACE.  Her children were her greatest blessings!  Karen was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1963 and Christie was born in Deerfield, Illinois in 1968.  The family then moved to Grosse Ile, Michigan and enjoyed a wonderful life there until another job opportunity brought them back to California for which they yearned to return.  Once in California, Julia worked for Professional Community Management (PCM) for 26 years from 1981 to 2007 at which time she retired.

Julia’s passions in life were her children, grand-dogs, treasured friends, bible studies, book club, Pacific Symphony Pops concerts, hymns and music, shopping, slots at the casinos, eating, and numerous trips to Hawaii.  She loved the Lord with all her mind, heart, and soul and lived each day with a deep abiding faith and passion for loving others.

Her family will deeply miss her gracious, unconditional love, and sweet gentle tender-hearted spirit every day.  We rejoice knowing she is safe in the arms of Jesus and reunited in glory with “her” Bob and her other cherished loved ones.

The Funeral for Julia will be held at Presbyterian Church of the Master on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 11:00am.    A lunch reception at the church will follow the service.  A private Interment for her family will be held at El Toro Memorial Park.

Flowers may be sent to O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA  92653              (949) 581-4300               Attention:  Monique Ray, Funeral Arranger

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to the Sanctuary Building Fund at PCOM.

Presbyterian Church of the Master
26051 Marguerite Parkway
Mission Viejo, CA  92692
(949) 582-2670

 

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: July 16, 2018 (11:00 AM)
  • Venue: Presbyterian Church Of The Master
  • Location: 26051 Marguerite Pkwy. Mission Viejo, CA 92692 - (Get Directions)

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10 responses to Julia Starkey Wilkinson

  1. Dee Lilly says:

    Dear Karen, Christie, and Gary:
    It is an honor to have known your Mom, a dear saint, a member of God’s family. She is home,, she has won the race. She has seen God face to face and He has said “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You know she is whole and happy, and there is no pain or suffering.. All things have been made new.
    You will miss her but you will see her again, you have not lost her, you know exactly where she is. She has been reunited with all who have gone before her and one day you will have a big reunion in the Real Heaven. God has invited her home to the place He prepared for her and each of you., until then we say “We will see you again”. Until then , Blessings to you –
    In His love,
    Dee Lilly

  2. Pat Lundeen says:

    Dear Karen and Christie,
    I will miss your mom’s smiles and hugs and the way she always made me feel me so special to her. She was quiet, but when she spoke, I listened, because her words were full of grace and either very encouraging or very profound. Her kindness and her faith knew no bounds and continue to inspire me.
    With much love and many prayers,
    Pat Lundeen

  3. Margaret and I have known Julia for many years and have been blessed by the close friendship and memories we share including wonderful picnics under the trees at the Verizon Center before Pacific Symphony Concerts, and sharing beautiful sunsets and fun times on the island of Kauai.

    Our dear friend Julia was a wonderful Christian woman with a gentle southern grace and kind word for all she encountered in her life; she is the “model” Christian the Lord placed in our lives for us all to emulate. My brother-in-law, upon meeting Julia for the first time, asked is there anyone Julia met that she didn’t like, or didn’t like her? That is so typical a reaction of all who met our dear Julia.

    We are proud to say that Julia and Karen have been embraced as honorary members of our family as God Parents to our 9 year old granddaughter, Marlee. Marlee called Julia her “Fairy God Mother”, or “Tutu” which is grandma in Hawaiian.

    Julia, we thank you for everything you’ve given us – your legacy of love and the warmth we shared during your precious time with us on earth. Speaking for our entire family, we miss you greatly Tutu Julia, but your memory will always be in our hearts.

  4. Margaret and I have known Julia for many years and have been blessed by the close friendship and memories we share including wonderful picnics under the trees at the Verizon Center before Pacific Symphony Concerts, and sharing beautiful sunsets and fun times on the island of Kauai.

    Our dear friend Julia was a wonderful Christian woman with a gentle southern grace and kind word for all she encountered in her life; she is the “model” Christian the Lord placed in our lives for us all to emulate. My brother-in-law, upon meeting Julia for the first time, asked is there anyone Julia met that she didn’t like, or didn’t like her? That is so typical a reaction of all who met our dear Julia.

    We are proud to say that Julia and Karen have been embraced as honorary members of our family as God Parents to our 9 year old granddaughter, Marlee. Marlee calls Julia her “Fairy God Mother”, or “Tutu” which is grandma in Hawaiian.

    Julia, we thank you for everything you’ve given us – your legacy of love and the warmth we shared during your precious time with us on earth. Speaking for our entire family, we miss you greatly Tutu Julia, but your memory will always be in our hearts.

  5. Tim O'Keefe says:

    Karen and Christie-

    Your mom was the kindest, most gracious, lovely person I have ever met. I adored her. She had the most amazing ability to see the good in everyone. I have cherished my annual calls to her on her birthday for the last 24 years since I moved to the Bay Area. Our world has lost a treasure. Please accept my condolences.

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