Julia was born on August 28, 1924 in Beaumont, Texas to Italian immigrants, Carlo Palumbo and Emilia Geraci. She had three older brothers, Steve, Anthony and Louis. Growing up in the Great Depression made an indelible impact on her, and she retained the frugality learned then throughout her lifetime. She strived, often in vain, to ingrain this quality in her five children. Her generous spirit was among the other notable traits she was successful in passing along to her children as was her Italian mantra that food is the glue that helps bind a family together, and there can never be too much of it!
After graduating at the top of her class at St. Anthony’s High School she went to work at Ideco where she met Cecil, the love of her life and her husband for 44 years. Her work ethic, precision and organizational skill was critical to her success. She deeply valued work and her bosses deeply valued her.
Julia died on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, shortly after celebrating a joyous 94th birthday with her children, many of her grandchildren and her great granddaughter. Julia’s Catholic faith and devotion to her family and husband sustained her through many difficult times. She believed in God and the Church, the importance of family, hard work and education.
Julia devoted her life to her family and instilled in them a love of attending free musicals at Miller Outdoor Theatre, playing cards, and long road trips (accompanied by the acapella serenade of five young voices). She loved playing bridge, going to the beach, dancing with Cecil, and spending a week reading the Sunday paper.
Our mother was an intelligent, strong, fiercely independent woman. She will be greatly missed by her family: Melia Ann and Joseph Benedict Nelson, Sr; Carla Eve and David Cope Walker; Marty Ellen Bendy and John Patrick Long; Mary Jude and Gary Wayne Eaton; Cecil Joseph Bendy, Jr. and Cynthia Ellen Davis; Russell Monk; Michael Crouch; and Sharon Leatherwood. Julia will always be cherished by her grandchildren: Joseph Benedict Nelson, Jr.; James Karl Nelson II; Amelia Carlyle Nelson Schaap and Aaron Taylor Schaap; Jennifer Leigh Walker Mezer and Jason Mezer; Stephen Cope Walker and Sarah Ansari; Jessica Jorine Monk Vaughn and John Stephen Vaughn; Tyler Joseph Crouch; Carla Jordan Bendy; Cole Julian Bendy; Joseph Ross Bendy Eaton; her niece, Minnie Zummo Lindsey; and neighbors and surrogate children Phillip and Marita Calaway and their family. Last but definitely not least, her great granddaughter Adeline Anne Mezer, who brought her incredible joy and inspired her Great Grandmother to, “Eat Mamaw, eat.”
She will be greatly missed by us all.
We would like to express our special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at The Forum at Memorial Woods who brought her great comfort.
Please honor Julia’s request to support the Cecil Joseph Bendy Scholarship Fund at the University of St. Thomas or Wellsprings Village: Homes for Abused and Battered Women. Floral tributes should be directed to Waltrip Funeral Directors located at 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas 77055.
The Rosary will be recited at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church at 9:15 am, Saturday, September 29th, followed by a Mass at 10:00 am. Please join us for a reception directly after mass. Interment will follow at 3:30 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4955 Pine St. in Beaumont, 77703, (409) 892-5912.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is located at 10688 Shadow Wood Dr., Houston, TX, 77043.
