Julie O'Neil

Born on May 21, 1939, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Julie was the youngest of three children of Helen Gibson O’Neil and Francis Patrick O’Neil. She spent her formative years in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Wellesley High School before attending Bryn Mawr College. A proud member of the Bryn Mawr Class of 1960, Julie remained a dedicated alumna throughout her life and served for many years as that year’s class secretary.

After graduation, Julie moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and began her long career at Harvard University as an administrator in the BioLabs under Dr. Bodogard. She lived in Cambridge for many years and cherished the community she found there. Later, Julie moved to Dennis, Massachusetts, to be closer to her family. For several years she commuted to Cambridge before deciding to leave Harvard and join the staff of the Natural History Museum in Brewster, Massachusetts, where she worked in the office and found great joy in the museum’s mission and community.

Julie fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a professional photographer when she was hired to photograph the natural world she loved so deeply. A devoted supporter and caretaker of animals, both her own and those adopted from around the world, Julie’s compassion extended to creatures of every size. She traveled to Africa to photograph elephants in their refuge and was especially captivated by birds, which remained a particular passion in her photography and later in her life.

Julie is survived by her sister, Patricia Pratson of Dennis, Massachusetts, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Francis Bradley O’Neil of Orleans, Massachusetts, and her parents, Helen and Frank O’Neil, formerly of Dennis, Massachusetts.

The family is deeply grateful to the many people who cared for Julie in her final years, most recently at BroadReach of Liberty Commons in North Chatham, Massachusetts. They are especially thankful for the compassionate care provided by the team at Broad Reach Hospice.

Contributions or donations in Julie’s honor may be made to the Natural History Museum in Brewster, Massachusetts where she spent many happy years, or to WildCare of Cape Cod, in Orleans, Massachusetts, where she volunteered many enjoyable hours and was awarded their service award for her commitment to the organization and wildlife all over Cape Cod.