Julia Joy Astle

Julia Joy Astle was born in Orange County, CA on March 16, 1926, and passed away on February 20, 2025, in Yorba Linda, CA. “Julie” was raised in Alta Dena, CA along with a younger sister (Erla). Julie graduated from El Monte High School and moved on to study business at the University of Southern California. While attending USC, Julie was a proud member of Tri-Delta Sorority where she established many lifelong friendships. During her college years, Julie worked as a model for I Magnin Department Stores.

Julie’s most enduring relationship she made while attending USC was meeting and winning over a fellow Trojan named Robert (Bob) Astle. Bob a recently returned Navy pilot met Julie on a blind date, and as Julie tells it, she knew from the start that he was the man she would marry. Bob graduated with a degree in Engineering and worked in Southern California. Soon after they were married, they moved to Minnesota so that Bob could work for a large manufacturing company. During their early years of marriage, a son Robert and a daughter Joy were born.

Upon the family’s return to California, a son Jamie was born. Soon thereafter, the young Astle family moved to Yorba Linda in 1962. At the time they moved to Yorba Linda the population was less than 1000 residents, and the city was home to some of the largest citrus and avocado farms in Southern California. Julie loved the rural nature of Yorba Linda, and thus the Astle family planted their roots here and raised their children as they attended local schools like Richard Nixon Elementary, Yorba Linda Junior High, and Troy High School. In the early 1970’s Bob designed and built the beautiful family home that Julie lived in for the last fifty years of her life.

Julie had many interests, but her number one interest was people. Wherever she went, Julie met many new people who would become lifelong friends. Her desire to be around people led Julie to become involved in many civic and service clubs within the community. She was a volunteer and leader in many local organizations such as: Yorba Linda Women’s Club, Yorba Linda Historical Society, The Friends of the Yorba Linda Library, Del Norte Garden Club, The Fullerton Arboretum, Librarian for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and for many years was a docent at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.

Julie’s longtime commitment to volunteer service in the city of Yorba Linda led to her being nominated and voted the City of Yorba Linda’s Citizen of the Year in 2007. She continued to be involved in local service groups up until health issues and the Covid year of 2020 sidelined her from her many civic activities.

Julie is survived by her sister Erla Coulston, her son Robert Astle (Joni), daughter Joy Astle, and son Jamie Astle (Laura) along with five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service honoring Julie will be held on Friday, March 7th at 11 AM at Memory Garden Cemetery in Brea.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the Yorba Linda Historical Society in Julie’s name