Julie passed peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 23rd, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
Julie was born in 1950 in Nashua, NH. A child of the 50s, teenager in the 60s, 20s in the 70s, and like so many, had babies in the 80s. She made the most of each decade of her youth. Her stories of concerts, music festivals and protests could have been in movies or documentaries. In addition to loving a great party, she also was a bright and inquisitive student, earning her Bachelor’s from UNH and her Masters in Psychology from Goddard College.
Her son and daughter vividly remember passing time in their little kitchen, listening to her stories of what was, what could have been, what will be. She brought her stories to life for them in a way that forged her as their very best friend growing up.
She worked hard to raise her son and daughter, anyone who knew her knew how much she loved her children. Her love did not stop there. She was full of love for nature, animals, any person in need and life itself.
From summers on Hampton Beach with the entire family, camping with her brother Charlie, pool days at her moms/ Memere’s, to just spending cozy winters bundled up on the couch, Julie always knew how to enjoy the moment, whether it was sunshine or a nice big blanket that would fit all 3. She was a great mom.
Countless friends have reached out and shared stories about how she made them feel safe, that she was a safe space and a comfort for anyone who needed it. She was a “second mom” to so many, and yet, her kids didn’t even realize the extent to which they were sharing her. She was a special presence in many lives and so so so full of love. That love will continue to be a comfort to all that knew and were loved by her.
She is survived by her daughter Kerri Affannato and Kerri’s husband Matt Affannato; her son Richard Alcott; her mother, Priscilla F. (Charron) Lessard; her sister Claudia Huffman and her husband Bob Huffman; her nieces Jocelyn, Lydia and Sarah. She will meet her father Arthur, brothers Charlie and Richard and nephew Nathan in heaven. And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.
There will be no formal services at this time. A Celebration of Life will be planned in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, michaeljfox.org. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com The Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, is assisting the family with arrangements.
