Julia Goldsmith McBride, 1928 - 2016

Julia Goldsmith McBride

My step-mom passed away last Tuesday morning. I hope she isn't looking down on me in anger for posting this, as she didn't want any fuss made. Absolutely no fuss. But I need to mark her passing for my own peace.

I met Julie in 1965, shortly before she married my dad. We had a great relationship over many years, and I have always been thankful for the way she loved my brother and me, and later, our families. Daddy wasn't the easiest guy to live with, but Julie made it look easy. He called her his "Judy," and they had 33 years together until his death in 1999. After they moved three thousand miles away from us, we saw her seldom, but she never forgot a holiday or birthday, and we made letters and phone calls close the gap. I always admired the way she accepted the step-mother role, loving us but never crowding our mother's place. I have many years' worth of letters and cards, always signed "love ya! Julie."

A happy day with "Mutt" at their 19th century house in upstate New York

Julie became ill last winter and was unable to remain in her home. It was a hard transition and she was frequently frustrated. As a series of strokes took away her speech, she seemed to have more she wanted to say. I spent a couple of days with her in early summer, and we were blessed with a wonderful visit. We had "red hots" for lunch, and walked the Erie Canal. She showed me the movie theatre she went to as a teenager, and some other spots she frequented over the years. We had glorious weather, and just soaked up our time together. I think we both knew it was the last time we would see each other on this earth.

A visit to their New York home with their first granddaughter, Emily

Picking apples with "Mima Julie" and Bepa

I think it's a double whammy, because over the last 17 years since Daddy died, she was also my link to him. She missed him terribly. I'm missing both of them.

Love ya, Julie. I'll see you again!


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