Julia Doughty

Julia Taylor Doughty left her earthly body on March 15th, 2024. She was born June 6th, 1929 in Evansville, Indiana. She spent most of her childhood in Akron, New York. As a teenager she moved to Speed, Indiana, where she spent most of her adult life. In her final years Julia lived in Noblesville, Indiana. Each chapter of our lives has different focuses and flavors from childhood to becoming an adult to raising children, working, retirement, and slowly retreating from an active world to one of internal stillness and peace. 94 years is a long time to capture in a few paragraphs, here is our attempt. Julia Taylor Doughty, grandma Doughty, to many of us, had the most beautiful laugh. She told wonderful stories, and enjoyed remembering the past, especially the days of her childhood. Some of her favorite tales were of her escapades with her two sisters, Alice Ann and Beth. Julia loved church, children and mischief. If Grandma caught you doing something you weren’t supposed to she gave you a mischievous look, wagged a finger and said, in her lilting southern accent, “Ah, ah ah, I see you!” always with a twinkle in her eye. She didn’t like to cook much, but she made a terrific fried chicken and her favorite food was bread! Julia’s love of books and reading was legendary. She cherished her father’s book collection and added to it over the years. She was seldom seen without a book in her hand or tote bag. Julia met her husband Harold Doughty at age 17 and married him shortly after. Julia’s parents Alice and Charles Taylor were not thrilled by her young marriage, (they had hoped Julia would go to college) but they must have been delighted when Julia and Harold moved into a house just a few doors away and brought their children Robert and Janice, into the world. The neighborhood where they all lived was filled with much family, card playing (Euchre!) and visiting with family and friends. All the nieces and nephews loved Aunt Judy! As a working mother of two Julia had a full life and needed the help of her parents in raising those two children. She worked for many years for Sellersburg Stone Company in several capacities, and made sure her own children went to college. Upon her retirement from the Stone Company, the company gifted her its one and only remaining typewriter, since Julia was the only one still using it!! The typewriter sat, a prized-possession, in a special display case in her living room for many years. Julia was widowed in 1985 and never remarried. She had a rich community life especially at Speed Memorial Church where she volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, teen youth group leader, church secretary, and church council member, was a member of the Women’s Christian Fellowship and more. She taught swimming to adults at the Sellersburg Community Pool. In her final years Julia delighted all the staff and residents at Prairie Lakes Health Campus, with her sweet temperament, gentle smile, funny stories, and calm demeanor. Her bright spirit and kind smile will be remembered and cherished. Julia passed peacefully from this life, holding the hand of her son Robert. Her grandchildren visited her often and brought the great grandkids along for many of the visits. At the end of her days Julia liked watching the play of life, much the same way she did as a younger version of herself. She had a loving, kind, consistent presence that shone bright until the end of her days. Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Alice (Lytle) and Charles Taylor, her sister Alice Ann Pace and survived by her sister Beth Buss, her two children, Robert Doughty and Janice Burgan, as well as her grandchildren, Paige, Matthew, and Kathryn Doughty, and Erin and Eric Burgan. She also has 7 great grandchildren with two more on the way. A memorial service will be held June 21, 2024 at: Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, IN, 47150 Visitation 12 to 2 p.m Memorial Service 2 pm. Private Burial to follow In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Speed Public Library ( 430 N Indiana Ave, Sellersbury, IN 47172, note in memory of Julia Doughty) or The American Heart Association www.heart.org