Julia Anne Horowitz

Julia Anne (Heaton) Horowitz, 68, passed away unexpectedly in her home in Kansas City, Missouri on April 23rd, 2024. She was born on April 28th, 1955, in Anderson, South Carolina to Amos Julian Heaton and Gloria Colleen (Brown) Heaton. She was the third child of 4, including Malcolm (Mac) Heaton, Nancy Carleton, and Gloria Beasley.

After the death of her mother in September of 1966, her father married Marcia Bryant in May of 1969. Marcia, who had been their beloved babysitter since 1955, became a mother to Julia and her siblings. In 1970, she gave birth to Andrew. Julia maintained a lifelong, close relationship with her family.

Julia attended North Fant Elementary School. She would play by ear the music Nancy was learning. In third grade, she started taking piano lessons from Kathleen Burriss. That was the beginning of a passion for music that shaped the rest of her life.

At the age of 16, she gave her life fully to Jesus Christ. She became a piano student of Professor Anita Bridges. During her years at T.L. Hanna High School, she participated in many theatrical productions and accompanied the choir. She won awards at local and state competitions. During two summers, she attended the prestigious Brevard Music Camp - first year on full scholarship, second year through work-study, working as a lifeguard and a dance-class accompanist. She studied piano with Joan Yarbrough Cowan.

At graduation, she received the Bailes Ring, an award given to the student, chosen by her peers and the faculty, who best exemplified womanliness, purity, and integrity.

In 1973, she went to the University of Montevallo in Alabama to study with Mrs. Cowan. She also studied organ with Dr. Mary Louise Lumby and played for a Catholic church. In 1977-78, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree with a double-major in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. That spring, she won the MTNA state competition. At Mrs. Cowan’s urging, she traveled to Kansas City to study with the renowned Richard Cass at the UMKC Conservatory of Music.

She received an assistantship, through the Kindermusic program, to teach music to preschool children. During her two years of graduate studies, she amassed many private piano students and worked at several other part-time jobs. She decided not to continue the master’s degree program. It was then that she and fellow graduate piano student Ted Horowitz became friends due to their shared faith. Friendship blossomed into love, and they married on October 17, 1981.

The love of Jesus was manifest in her. She generously gave her time and money. Throughout her student and adult life, she became a caring confidant and counselor to many friends. Her kind, nurturing, motherly heart drew people to her. She opened her home to many who were in crisis. She attended workshops in Christian counseling. During her 21 years of working at Walmart, troubled teenagers and co-workers would seek her compassionate ear.

In 1990, she and Ted were hired by St. Luke Presbyterian (now known as GlenHaven Church, EPC). She accompanied worship on the organ while Ted played piano, and she played piano or organ while Ted directed the choir. She could play any music, no matter how difficult. She had a beautiful voice and sang powerful solos. She helped Ted teach children’s and youth choirs, VBS and musicals. She worshiped God heartily in Spirit and in truth. She assisted Ted in teaching music classes at GlenHaven Academy.

Ted’s first date with Julia was taking children to the zoo. He saw how wonderfully she interacted with them. His marriage proposal was “Would you be the mother of my children?” She gave birth to and raised five extraordinary human beings, all of them musicians. Three of them play guitar or violin for other churches. Hannah plays violin at GlenHaven. Until recently, she was also a ballet dancer and teacher.

But the most important parental role to Julia was to instill in them her Christian faith. She did that with patience and unconditional love. She prayed for them constantly. Her faith and character live on in them. They are: Jacob (b.1982), wife Betsy, children Phoebe and Rufus; Samuel (b.1984), wife Tanja, children Olivia and Dexter; Benjamin (b.1990), wife Natalie, children Leorah & Miriam; Hannah (b.1993), husband Ryan Barnett, child Julian James; David (b. 1998); Riley Davison (b.1998) has been an honorary son since 2017.

In 2018, she gave up her job in order to babysit grandchildren so that their parents could work. To the grandkids, she was a teacher and a playmate. Her name means “youthful,” and she had a child-like quality. They adored her.

Like the woman in Proverbs 31, she always found ways to help her family and others. Her husband and children “rise up and call her blessed.” By her example, she taught us to be patient, loving, kind and generous. The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit were very strong in her.

It was Ted’s greatest thrill and privilege to be her husband, second only to his relationship to God. At least once a week, she would say “I would marry you again!” She was his perfect mate and best friend. Their love was enduring and sweet. In plenty or in want, she never complained. She was always grateful to God for whatever they had, and she was glad to share it.