Julie, age 42, passed away at Grand River Hospital on Tuesday, April 23rd after a short but brave battle with cancer. She was taken away much too soon from her Mom, her grandmother, her aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers. She is survived by her mother Catherine Owens, who was her best friend and travelling companion. Julie was predeceased by her father Marv Owens. She is survived by her grandmother, Helen Kennedy and the Kennedy family – Robert and Linda, Bruce and Donna, Shirlee and Garnet Dobsky, Barbara, Karen and Bruce Lawrence, Doug, Richard and Elaine. She will also be missed by her Uncle Ray and Aunt Charmaine Owens.
She was loved by her Kennedy cousins Rob (Sharon), Colleen, Steven (Joan E), David, Kevin and Vanessa, Dean, Stephanie, Vanessa, Lindsay, Jessica, Brittany, Sarah, Jade, Kelsee, Liam, Callum and Caitlin, and her Owens cousins Brad (Kate, Jonah and Benn) and Stacey (Keith MacMillan). She is also survived by her furry friend Molly, her best friends Elissa McMicking (Adelaide, Australia) who flew in to see Julie when she was ill, Barton Leslie, (Hong Kong), Paul Raymond and Christian Honora (Adelaide, Australia).
Julie was the Site Plan Coordinator at the City of Guelph Planning Department and did what she most enjoyed – urban planning. She was the past president of CACPT Canada and coordinated a number of planning and environmental conferences. She previously worked at MHBC, IBI and Dare, Sutton, Clarke (Adelaide Australia).
Julie enjoyed gardening and landscape design as evidenced by her lovely pond and gardens, playing baseball, volleyball, beach volley ball, dodge ball and travelling the world (Egypt, Dubai, Doha, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Columbia, England, Portugal, Africa, New Zealand, Bali, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba) to see the finest examples of architecture and urban design. She was particularly fond of Savannah, Charleston and New Orleans. She was passionate about rescue dogs and volunteered at the K-W Humane Society. Jack, her first rescue dog was a blood donor at UVG and Molly, her second rescue dog is an Alzheimer’s therapy dog.
She is deeply missed by her work buddy Chris deVriende (Marina) who was her daily travelling companion and her co-workers, especially Donna Couto who was a great support and Tammy Hogg who enjoyed margaritas with her while on vacation, after volleyball and baseball games, and in general was a great friend. Her neighbours Alfred and Cheryl Bott and Jay and Lisa Roy will miss her at the neighbourhood get togethers. Thank you to Eva and Rob Plach who were also great friends.
Julie was predeceased by her grandparents, Louis Kennedy, Milton and Marguerite Owens and her loving Aunt Janet Kennedy.
Cremation has taken place. Julie will be buried alongside her father at Williamsburg Cemetery and has also requested that her ashes be spread along the beach in South Australia where she deep sea and shark-tank dived. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday April 25 from 2- 4 pm. and 7-9 pm.at Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W. Kitchener, ON N2G 1C7. A private memorial service will be held on Saturday. Donations in Julie’s memory can be made to the K-W Humane Society at www.kwhumane.com or through the funeral home.
"Slainte Julie, we will love you forever."
Visit Julie’s memorial and share condolences online at www.ratzbechtelfuneralhome.com
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