Julia Dorothy Gkonos

Julia Dorothy (Judy) Gkonos, age 96 years, passed peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022. She was born in Owosso, Michigan, the only child to Fred and Dorothy (Huber) Gkonos and they predeceased her along with her cousin Susan Woodford. Julia was a vivacious, smart, beautiful, fashionable, fun-loving friend to many over the years. She never married but left a string of broken hearts along the way. She loved animals and was heaven sent to the hundreds of cats she rescued, cared for, and loved throughout her life. She was a devoted member of Bethany Baptist Church who enjoyed Sunday services, Bible Study, and the luncheons. She was a superior advice giver and, until the end of her life, a resource for folks of all ages who brought her their problems. She was a career woman long before it was common, working at her beloved Lansing State Journal as a Retail Sales Executive until her retirement in the early 90’s. She is survived by a cousin, Ryan Woodford and a multitude of close and loving friends who grieve her loss and wish her Godspeed as she hopefully joins every cat she ever rescued in Heaven, because that would be Heaven for her. In lieu of flowers please do a compassionate good turn or kindness to another, extra credit for cats…

A Graveside Service for Judy will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Owosso where she will be laid to rest with her parents.

A poem written many years ago by Bill Morris, teenage son of Julia's oldest friend and co worker Brenda Morris...

JUST JUDY

Assembled is a masterpiece,

Yet she’s not of the times.

A woman of such qualities,

She’s just one of a kind.

The warm smiles that she brings to us,

The way she says hello,

Brings warmth and cheer into a room

And makes it seem to glow.

She’s as pure as snow from the north,

And full of wit and charm.

With animals, she’s like nature,

To them she’d do no harm.

Her heart is filled with love to give,

To give to anyone.

Her mere presence can warm your soul

Like a ray from the sun.