Julia Joan Tallerico

December 3, 1933 – January 28, 2026

Julia Joan Tallerico, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and the cherished matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully at the age of 92.

Born on December 3, 1933, in Windsor, Ontario, to George and Julianna Szöke, Julia spent her childhood on her family farm in nearby Tecumseh, where she developed a lifelong love of animals and nature. As an only child, she shared a close bond with her parents and often reflected fondly on her Canadian heritage and her native country.

Julia moved to the United States at 16 years-old and attended Marygrove College in Detroit. She would soon meet her beloved future husband, Benjamin Tallerico, and they married on June 25, 1955, and went on to raise three adored children.

They made their home in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, where they raised their family. Over the years, Benjamin and Julia also owned property and spent a great deal of their lives together in Colchester, Ontario; Anna Maria Island, Florida; and Port Huron, Michigan – all of which were on the water, another great love of Julia’s. Together, they shared a passion for travel, visiting many places around the world, including countries throughout Europe and South America.

A gifted artist, Julia was known for her incredible watercolor landscapes and paintings. She had a raw talent, and was able to capture the beauty of nature and the places she loved in her artwork. She was also an avid gardener – in the summer, you could find Julia working in her yard, planting and gardening for hours throughout the day.

Her creativity was matched by her adventurous and independent spirit – throughout her life and after her husband’s passing in 1994, she continued to travel all over the world, including China, Hawaii, and Australia, with her children and grandchildren – well into her 80s. In those later years, she was as full of life as she had always been – a true testament to her remarkable strength.

Julia was a devout Catholic who attended her local church often. Her faith shaped every chapter of her life. She also kept a keen interest in world news and events, and her progressive views often surprised and inspired those around her.

Above all else, Julia was a woman of unwavering love – steadfast in her devotion to her family, her faith, and a guiding presence to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Julianna Szöke; her husband, Benjamin; her son, Benjamin; and her daughter in law, Lori.

Julia is survived by her daughters, Julie (Fredrick) Riedel and Jane (Frank) Mazza; her six grandchildren: Jacqueline (Jason) Bays, Jason (Rita) Riedel, Natalie (Charlie) Hodson, Kelsey (Patrick) O’Neil, Michael Mazza, and Madison (Jacob) Kuehnlein; and her eight great grandchildren: Grayson, Chase, Juliana, Jack, Olivia, Layla, Benjamin, and Hayes, and a ninth great-grandchild expected in May.

A memorial instate will be held on Saturday, March 28, from 9:30am until the time of the funeral mass at 10:00am at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 21100 Madison Street, in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations have been suggested to the World Wildlife Fund, in honor of Julia’s love for all animals. https://www.worldwildlife.org