Julia Rodriguez Finke

Julia Rodriguez Finke, 92, passed away on Wednesday morning, October 29, 2014. Born on April 8, 1922 in New York, NY; she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Ramona Rodriguez and wife of the late Robert Powell Finke.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter: Kathleen “Kathy” Byram and husband Peter Byram, of Raleigh; grandchildren: Dr. Heather Brady and husband, Dr. Patrick Brady of Washington D.C., Dr. Ian Byram, and wife, Emily Johnson Byram of Nashville, TN, Rebekah Lassiter and husband, Jordan Lassiter, of Charlotte, NC, and three great-grandsons: William Patrick Brady, Powell David Byram and Edward Robert Byram. She is also survived by her brother-in-law: Paul Giacobble, sister-in-law: LaRaye Rodriguez, niece: Laura Rodriguez Burger and husband Bob; and nephew: Daniel North and wife DeeDee; and by other extended family and friends.

She was pre-deceased by the love of her life, Robert Powell Finke, (Bob) who died 4 years ago, nearly to the day, on October 26th. She is also predeceased by a son, Robert Daniel Finke, her sister, Claudia Giacobbe, and her brother, Daniel Rodriguez.

Julia served honorably in the US Navy as a WAVE, and worked at the VA hospital in Philadelphia as a dental assistant and hygienist during the war. She then was blessed to stay at home to raise her family and pursue her hobbies and interests. She will be remembered as an extremely creative artist, seamstress, needle worker, cook, and gardener. She loved music, travel, birds, wildlife and entertaining her friends and family.

In their retirement, Julia and Bob moved from Raleigh to their beloved Lake House on Kerr Lake, in Clarksville, VA. There they made a new and rich life, travelling the US, Canada and Mexico in their Airstream trailer, visiting family in Minnesota and Chicago, and wintering in Florida.

In her final years, Julia was lovingly cared for by the staff at Sunrise of Raleigh and Franklin Manor of Youngsville. Thank you also to the dedicated and compassionate staff of Transitions LifeCare.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 2 PM in the Mausoleum Chapel of Raleigh Memorial Park. Family will receive friends immediately following Military Honors.

Memorials may be made in Julia’s honor to Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County), 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, or Gateway, a Ministry of LifeCare, (formally Pregnancy Life Care), 6339 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Condolences to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com