Julia Elizabeth Odulio

Julia was born to Blanca Luz Bolaños Higueros and Gilberto Higueros on April 1,1949 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Blanca and Gilberto were also parents to Julia’s younger siblings, Sylvia Wedgeworth and Fernando Higueros. Julia loved her country. She cherished memories of playing with friends in the streets of her neighborhood as a young girl, special memories shared with her Great Aunt, Julia Bolaños (who helped to raise her), and visiting beautiful places in Guatemala such as Antigua. She also enjoyed traveling to Guatemala to spend time with her beloved brother, Victor Hugo Higueros, (both shared the same father) and his beautiful family.

As a young girl, aged about 16, she was sent to the United States to work and help support her family back in Guatemala. Luckily, she eventually landed in the home of the Lowe family in Encino, CA, hired as their nanny and housekeeper. Mrs. Lowe fell in love with Julia. She helped her finish her education, taught her how to drive & get her driver’s license, and encouraged her to dream big. Julia credited Mrs. Lowe with helping to kickstart her American dream and being a very special person who helped to shaped her future.

Julia was very strong in her faith and deeply devoted to God, her Savior. She was an incredible mother, grandmother, wife, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and friend. She shared two children, Fernando Cueva, and Susana Cueva Drumwright, with her first husband of almost 20 years, Pedro Cueva. She went on to marry Eliseo (Ely) Odulio and they were married on June 24th, 1995 and were inseparable for more than 27 years. Together they combined their families and Julia became stepmother to Eliseo Odulio Jr. and Agnes Odulio Quiboloy. Julia also had much love and appreciation of her children’s spouses, Sonia Cueva, Hayes Drumwright, LaVonne Odulio and Emiler Quiboloy.

Julia’s love for her grandchildren is unparalleled. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren including Eliza Cueva Acevedo, Audrey Cueva, Delilah Drumwright, Isabella Quiboloy, Ethan Odulio, Elijah Odulio, Elliot Odulio, Mason Drumwright, Carter Drumwright, Trevor Drumwright, Brinley Drumwright, Vincent Reyes and Isaac Reyes. She enjoyed every minute she was able to spend with them and loved watching them grow.

Julia loved to travel. Her work, as a Medical Devices Educator for over 30 years, took her to many places including Puerto Rico, The Netherlands, and Mexico. She and Ely also traveled to a variety of places such as Thailand, Singapore, the UK, the Philippines, all around the US. She and her daughter traveled to Italy together where they enjoyed visiting several beautiful towns on the Amalfi Coast as well as Rome and Julia’s favorite, the Vatican.

Julia trusted in God’s plan for her. She survived cancer and credited God with all that she was blessed with, most importantly her family. She appreciated every day as though it was her last. She enjoyed music, loved to dance, cooking, spending times with friends, visiting new places and most of all, she loved her family and creating memories with them. The loss of Julia, as her family’s matriarch, is felt so deeply. Julia is survived by her loving husband, children, grandchildren, and siblings. She is preceded in death by her parents and Great Aunt.