Julia R. Wooster
August 26, 1930 - January 16, 2013

"Happy Birthday, Mom. I can not and will not ever forget this day. Asaph, the kids and I went to the cemetery today and sent some birthday wishes off on some balloons and set them free. I hope they got to you. I do hope you know how much you are missed, how much you are loved and have always been loved. My heart misses you so. I do hope our spirits live on and that we will be with each other once again. I hope that you are in peace and with love and comfort. I know you would not be happy to know how sad I am without you. I will try to be strong. You are and will always remain in my heart, in our hearts. The children love you so, me and Asaph the same. I love you. I miss you. ... you will never know ... or maybe you do. I hope you do. xoxo, M."

"Your mother Julia is always with you. She's the whisper of leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself. She's the twinkling stars in the sky. She's the cool hand you feel on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. She's the first place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space ... not even death. "

"This is a bittersweet Mother's Day for me. Loving my own children and sharing the love and joy with them and missing my own Mom all at the same. She is without no doubt the love and inspiration that I raise my own family with. Yesterday was a difficult difficult day as we laid her down to her final resting place beside her beloved. Happy Mother's Day Mama, may you rest in peace."

"Julia was our son Doug's babysitter until he was two years old. She brought personal warmth, generosity and energy to that caring relationship. She liked to knit special items for Douglas and enjoyed helping him learn. They shared love, laughter and many good times together. We feel fortunate to have known Julia, and appreciate all that she did for our family. We extend our condolences to Mariah and all those love and miss her. Barbara, Wayne and Douglas "

"My deepest sympathy to all that loved Julia. I have been procrastinating on writing a message because it means I have to acknowledge that she is really gone. For those that knew my aunt personally - you know we called her the cat lady. Not because she loved cats but because she was a woman with many lives. We had many get togethers, family reunions, parties in her honor to let her know how much she was loved. On one of my many trips to see her I felt compelled to let her know how much I truly loved her and also believed it was the last time I would see her. To which she proved all of us wrong time after time. While cleaning out her apartment this last week, we came across that card that was written to her so long ago. As I read these words they seem so appropriate now more then ever. I find comfort in knowing that not only did she get to see these words but feel and know they came from my heart. Today I share this with you in her loving memory. "Querida Tia, what can I say but that I love you more than words can ever describe. It has been a great few days being able to spend time with you. But as nice as these days have been we must part again. It's very hard for me to say good bye and really express how I'm feeling but I decided you needed to hear it or should I say deserve to know it. Throughout my life, what a mentor you have been. Mi Tia, the one I can always count on, the one who always believes in me and the one who continues to love me no matter what. So many things you have taught me and continue to teach with the challenges and curves that life throws you. I wish you could see what a powerful woman you have become and will always be in the depths of our hearts. How do I sum up everything you've taught me with giving you all the credit you deserve. There are so many but I'll share a few. You have taught me that love is unconditional but challenging at times. You have taught me to never give up because life is worth fighting for no matter how hard it gets. You taught me about family- that we need to care and love one another thru the good and the bad. And you have taught me that a strong woman can live forever.... Your strength, courage and love that you shared will forever be part of me and in turn I will share with others so therefore you will never be truly gone. Our hearts and spirit will always be together. My hope is that one day I will be half the woman you are today. Please take a moment and reflect on how many lives you have touched and forever changed, just for being you. Thank you for your wonderful gift for sharing your life with me. What a privilege and honor to call you - mi Tia. I love you with all my heart. Tu sobrina, Vilma" "

"Julia will always have a special place in my heart. I worked with her many years in therapy and was inspired by her determination. She had to overcome so many obstacles but didn't let anything stop her from doing what she set her mind to do. She was a wonderful cook. I remember Julia bringing us empenadas at Skaalen. Her knitting was amazing. Julia was a kind and loving person. She had a way of making me feel special. Julia was so proud of Mariah and her grandchildren. I'm grateful to have been a part of her life. "

"I will always remember Julia as a strong and fiercely independent person. I was lucky enough to work with Julia for many years at Care Wisconsin. She will be the one and only person I will likely encounter that was able to graduate out of dialysis. That just goes to show you how determined she was. I will always remember her cooking, her apartment smelled so wonderful on my visits to see her. She was a tough woman but at the same time soft and kind. I will always recall the hats and scarves made for her team members! I will also recall the devotion she had to her family and the love in her eyes when she spoke of them. She was a bright light with a wonderful smile and will never be forgotten!"

"Dear Mariah, I know your mom will be missed so much by your family. I could feel her love for all of you in the time I spent with her. In every conversation your mom made sure to tell me how proud she was of you and your family. We were all witness to your very special bond."

"Our heartfelt condolences to you Mariah and all the family during this difficult time of loss. We had the pleasure of first meeting Julia & Mariah at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Julia was an arts supporter and I was blessed to get to know her and the apple of her eye, her daughter Mariah, over the years to come. I remember Julia as always being so warmly welcoming, gentle and generous. Julia will be sorely missed by all who enjoyed the good fortune to know her but she will never be forgotten. Memories of Julia will stay alive in our hearts forever. "

"I met Julia in 2008 and served as her Care Wisconsin social worker. I will remember her for her intense love of family, her fierce independence, and her love of knitting. To be candid, I think she initially resented my visits and intrusive questions, but over time we developed a very good rapport. My favorite moment with Julia was when I offered to assist her in composing a complaint letter after she had experienced poor service during an appointment. It was very satisfying to be able to help give voice to her concerns, and she received a nice letter in return. I also got a kick out of her occasional voice message to our office letting us know she had to miss an appointment, because she had "slept over", which I assume meant "over slept". She was very kind and always brightened when talking about family--especially her grandkids. I will miss her."

"We are saddened we are to hear the news of Julia's passing. Our condolences to the Wooster family may you find comfort in the love and memories you share together. As Julia's faith was strong in God may he also comfort you with the words at 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 and John 5:28,29."

"Some people remain in your memory over time, I have a feeling I will be remembering Julia for years to come. Her warm personality, strong faith, and resilience amazed me. I had the pleasure of helping her through her journey at Oregon Manor, and enjoyed our short time together. "

"I will always be grateful for how happy Julia made my Grandfather in his last years. I will miss her fierce love."

"My deepest condolences go out to Mariah and Aldo, as well as to the rest of their families. But the love she left behind will always be with you. Julia and I met in Fort Lauderdale when she came to take care of my mother on weekends, and she became my dear friend. She provided such loving support during a difficult time. I looked forward to the empanadas she would sometimes bring, and remember a time when she was busy making dozens of them for Aldo's restaurant. After Julia moved to Wisconsin and I moved to New Mexico, we kept in touch by phone on birthdays and holidays, and my day was always brighter after we had talked. Her strength and optimism during the many difficulties she faced with her health were amazing and inspiring. I know how much she loved her family, and how much she was loved in return. I, too, loved Julia and always will. "

"Dear Mariah and Family, My prayers and condolences to you during this sad time. I remember first meeting Julia near the front doors of Rizzoli Bookstore. She was taking care of a little boy and was pushing him in a stroller. I made note of the beautiful knitted blanket she had made for him. She had a quiet strength and was always warm and generous to me. I am sure she is already taking care of others in her new home. Peace. Ellen "

"As I'm cooking dinner, it's hard not to think of what a fantastic cook Julia was, a trait that she passed down to Mariah, who is also a wondeful cook. I loved her empanadas, steak milanese with chimchurri sauce (two varieties), rice pudding, pasta dishes, and so much more. I would often go to their home in Chicago on LSD and sneak in the fridge to my delight! I'm not sure she always knew what I was doing in the kitchen, but she must have realized it when things were missing. I will miss her cooking, but I will especially miss her laugh, her kindness, and the way she said my name. That might sound strange, but with her heavy accent, she had a unique and charming way of saying my name that I always loved. She was always, always warm and kind to me and showered me with compliments (not all were deserved), and she was one of the only people who was nice to me, encouraging, and kind when I was in trouble in my 20s. I will never forget her for that time. She was also very creative, and an amazing knitter, and I'm happy to have some scarves and a poncho that she knit for me. She also seemed very happy that I was the godmother to Owen and Julia, and I appreciated that from her. While I will miss her, I am happy to have so many memories to remind me of her, and to also have Mariah, one of my best friends, to be here to remind me of her. She was loved, and I loved her, too."

"Diane Swenson Oh how Julia loved to visit! That is one of the things that stands out about her to me and my family. Whether it was seeing Julia at Mariah's house or getting a phone call saying I must come over right away because she needs to talk to me in person, Julia loved to have a good conversation. Two years ago, our family welcomed 3 young girls into our home through foster care. We received many clothes, toys, books, etc. when Mariah put out the word we had "girls" in our home and only boy things. I believe Mariah gets her take charge attitude from Julia because she made things happen for these girls. One of the nicest things that came out of this, however, was Julia knitted each of the girls a special hat and scarf. The girls went on to an adoptive home and hanging in their entry way are the three hats and scarves Julia lovingly made for them. Julia also welcomed the girls into her home to speak Spanish with them and show them how to knit. The girls loved going over there and any time we would pass her apartment, all 3 girls would be shouting "Julia lives there!". Now everyone can shout "Julia lives there" and point to your heart. For that is really where Julia lives. "

"Auntie Julie was a very special woman to me who treated me like a granddaughter. I loved her so very much & will miss her terribly. My fondest memories of her were the many times I spent the nights at her & Uncle Charlie's house in Skokie to spend time w/my cousin Mariah. I remember she always used to tell me not to sleep with socks on & to this day I still won't. I remember sleeping in bed with her & her telling stories about how I was a bed hog & kicked her off the bed. :) She was always so loving, caring & giving for everyone else & was not concerned about herself. I will miss my weekly calls w/her every Saturday but will always pray for her & she will always be in my heart. God watch over dearest Auntie Julie & know how loved she was in life & after. I know that she is at peace now with Uncle Charlie, Uncle Juan, Aunt Edith, Uncle Daniel, my son Anthony, doggie Milo & all the others that went to Heaven too soon. Aldo & Mariah my deepest condolences to both of you, you have lost one tremendous woman & mother, my heart goes out to you both but know you have an Angel in Heaven to watch over you & your families for the rest of your lives. XOXOXO "

"I remember, as a kid, having Sunday dineer at my Grandpa and Grandma's (Wooster). My Grandma went int the hospital for an operation, and never came home. Those family dinners stopped, there was a cloud of grief over our family. Then Grandpa met Julia, and she set about cooking those family dinners again, bringing us back together. I remember returning to Skokie to visit my ailing Grandpa, and I remember the love and compassion with which Julia cared for Grandpa. It was her care that allowed him to remain in the home that he loved,her respect for the dignity of this very special man. I remeber her practicing spanish with me, encouraging me when I wanted to give up. To know that her life became so difficult in later years hurts my heart. Being a stepmom, a stepgrandparent, is very difficult, but she did it with grace and love in her heart. Vaya Con Dios, Abuelita !"

"Dear Mariah and Family: On behalf of my family we pray you find some comfort in knowing how wondeful mom you had and how she touched so many lives. We love you. "

"Dear Mariah and family: Julia leaves us many great memories of her and Charlie. Mi mother who passed away 4 years ago always remembered her with so much love. Also my sister Diana and Rosita (who is my sister Charo's daughter) remember her as a kind, generous soul with a great smile and positive attitude. I will miss her, and feel fortunate that I spent a few lovely days with her when she visit with me about 2 years ago. Back in Chicago, it was in her house where my son Albert (now 42) learned to walk. I learned from her how to grow african violets, and to make an awesome potatoe fritata. She always showed an amazing love for her children. I will always think of her with much respect and admiration for the courageous, loving woman she was. "

"My wish is that you always find comfort when you close your eyes and remember that she will always be in your corner, you will always feel her presence and that you always find stories of her to share and keep her very much alive with your love. I hope you find comfort in being wrapped by a scarf she made, or a hat that is keeping you warm. She truly must have been a gem..for her kindness in knitting for me will always be remembered."

"Mariah, what a wonderful legacy of love and strength your mother has left for your family! I didn't really know her, but I will always remember hunting through my closets looking for yarn to help her keep up with her knitting. It was later that I learned she had difficulty with vision. I was so touched by that. It was not something you would realize right away when you met her. I thought to myself that there is one strong, positive woman with a great outlook on life. The wonderful memories you have of her will always be there to support and uplift you. Our thoughts are with you and you family."

"In the days, weeks, months and years ahead i know there will be many memories I will think back of fondly and want to share. However, in the meantime all I can think about is how desperately I am going to miss my Mom. How grateful I have had her for an example, how lucky I have been to be loved by her. I encourage all of you to please leave a memory, a thought, a wish and share how Julia has touched your life. Thank you so much for all you love, caring and support. xoxo. Mariah"