Julia Starkey Wilkinson

Julia Starkey Wilkinson went home to be the Lord on Thursday, July 5 ^th , 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 25 ^th , 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