Juliann Florence Thompson (MacDonald), age 62, left this mortal life on July 6, 2017 surrounded by her sister-in-law and great friend, Sherri, and nephew, Kyle.
Julie spent the previous day working around our property, having supper with her sister Bonnie, talking with her brother Art, having her two grandchildren, Owen and Noel, spend the afternoon with her, seeing her daughter Amy and having numerous conversations with her husband, Richard, over the phone. Julie had a great day and for that we will be forever grateful.
Julie started her life in Pictou, where many childhood stories and adventures were shared. Friendships that lasted a lifetime. Pictou remained very important to Julie. The move to Marshdale started a new chapter in Julie’s life with many new friends made at Richard and Laurie’s. One of these friends was a country boy from over the hill. Richard and Julie would spend the next 42 years in the Yukon, Northwest Territories (Nunavut) in the high Artic, moved back to Nova Scotia to run an excavation business together, travelling, raising two children, Amy and Chad and eventually having two grandchildren, Owen and Noel, and excitedly awaiting a third grandchild.
Julie did her post-secondary education at the Dartmouth Regional Vocational School where she graduated as a nursing assistant. Together with her previous work with the mentally challenged in Riverton, Julie would spend a lifetime helping people less fortunate, because of her caring heart. Julie cared for the residents in Riverton and the kids at Summer Street Industries, many who she would see on occasion throughout the county, always stopping to chat.
After moving to the Artic, Julie worked for Social Services helping young girls and boys. Julie loved the Inuit people and they in turn offered her their friendship for life. Julie also worked for Fred Ross as a camp cook. Many evenings, local people in the communities would come to the camp and would be offered Julie’s homemade cookies and tea. Julie’s kitchen was always open.
After moving home, Julie started raising her own family, Amy Lea, then Chad Sullivan. This filled her life with many friendships of the children that would spend time in our house. At times Julie would fill up the van with young friends, and a trip to the drive-in would cap of the day.
Julie worked for the Department of Education as a student aide; a job she loved along with the children she worked with. She would never miss an opportunity to visit with her students and catch up with their lives long after she left the school. Julie also worked with senior citizens and did respite work. One young man came into our lives around this time and became very close to our family. Nicholas and Julie shared a very special relationship. Later, another special person came into our lives. Al came to stay with us and became a brother to Amy and Chad. Juliann was an avid music lover for her entire life and a founding member of the Pictou County Blues Society. Along came weddings, and with that grandchildren, Owen and Noel. These two became Julie’s greatest gifts.
Although Julie’s life was lived to the fullest, she carried a burden for 20 years living with chronic pain. Those 20 years deprived her of a great deal. This is not an illness that you have a band aid on, or a cast so people know you are not feeling your best. An invisible, silent illness. Julie worked very hard at controlling her pain, through natural and Chinese medicines. She did not want to get caught up in narcotic based drugs that may have bought her relief, but at what cost.
We would like to thank Dr. Anne Marie McCully for her compassion and understanding in treating Juliann.
Julie leaves behind her devoted husband and best friend Richard; her loving daughter Amy Lea; grandchildren, Owen and Noel; son Chad Sullivan and Robyn, her daughter-in-law that became one of Julie’s closest friends; special friends Nicolas Fraser and Alan Young; brother Art, partner Sharon Stanley, his daughters Cathy, Lori and Tia and their families; brother John and his wife Leigh; brother Sandy and his wife and special friend Katie, their sons Dylan and Thomas; sister Bonnie who was very close to Julie; in-laws, Susan and Kenny MacLeod and their daughter Connie; Roy and Sherri, and sons Evan and Kyle; and Janice and Alan Mitchell and their children Aric, Peter and Brenna; cousin Illean Essex and son Patrick, Portsmouth, England; many cousins, nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention.
Julie was predeceased by her dearly loved mother Illean; her father Lloyd A Macdonald; her sister-in-law Sharon, with whom we shared many laughs; grand-nephew Chace MacDonald; parents-in-law, Anna Mae and Grant Thompson.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow. A Celebration of Julie’s life will be held on Wednesday at 2 pm from Springville Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place in the Marshdale Cemetery.
Family flowers only please.
Donations in Julie’s memory may be made to Pictou County Roots for Youth or to Tearman House.