I met Julia many more years ago than I care to remember.
In the days when we were showing regularly, Julia was usually vetting in and always available at the shows.
Dave, my husband, used to love show days so much (not), I used to find him asleep during judging or next to the pen when the hall
was opened.
On one occasion, whilst talking to Glenda about her dog, Jed, Glenda told us that Julia, in her capacity of vet
surgeon, had operated on Jed’s ear. Julia had also said, as only Julia could, "and while he’s asleep we might as well
lop his b*****ks off or you will have a real problem when your new pup comes on heat"
This statement worried Dave a lot and he never again slept at a show when Julia was present!
Caroline Harrison (Takiki)
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Our memories of Julia are her outstanding help with various problems we have had.
She kindly took in for us a feral moggie that had been knocked down twice on a major link road. He didn`t
want to be helped and ripped my hands to pieces. Luckily he was a real tough nut and was only bruised. After
a spell in a cattery he was released to join a colony in Epping Forest.
Another was offering to check all my cats in return for a bottle of Lambrusco, after Apollo was rejected at a show,
saving me a fortune.
Her advice was invaluable when Turbo Diesel became ill and we were at a loss as to what to do next, Julia calmly
talked us through it.
God bless you Julia, you were one in a million.
Doreen and Keith Sillis (Fleic & Zepplin)
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Julia was a special lady, with many sides to her.
I worked with her for 22yrs and I know even after all that time there are still many things I never knew about her.
Yes, she could be stubborn and even frightening as some of her past clients will tell you, as she would quite happily
tell them off, and make them wait if they were late for their appointment.
But they knew they could trust her and that she would tell them straight if it was bad news about their animal.
Julia was someone you met once and never forgot, they broke the mould after she was born. And you knew that she
would always be there if you needed her.
She may have come across as hard sometimes but there was a soft side to her, too.
She will be missed by many.
Tracy, Spots and smokes
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Sad news, that we all knew would come, she battled on with such spirit.
I remember her from shows in my early days, her wonderful “common sense” attitude at vetting in,
and later, on the OCFG committee her knowledge was never ending, it was always “Let’s ask Julia”
And Her calm advice willingly given to a novice breeder was much appreciated . I bet she’s sat up there now
surrounded by her beloved cats that went before her.
Carolyn Clifford (Stoxhill)
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I have known Julia from the time I first started breeding and showing cats,
she was always helpful.
She will be looking after the animals in heaven now and
it is so sad but our loss is heaven's gain.
Jenny Parsley (Whipplewind)
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Very sad to hear the news about Julia, she will be sadly missed and by oh goodness knows how many in the
Cat World especially, an amazing woman indeed
Nina Short (Fernguly)
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I am very sorry to hear this very sad news Julia was a lovely lady who was always willing
to help me and answer questions that I had. She will be very missed by all in the cat fancy.
Jill Connelly (Beaububbly)
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Julia was a one off, and cannot be wholly replaced! So sad she had such a battle to fight, so so unfair!!
Carole Gwyther
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Julia had a huge personality and an enormous intellect. She seemed to have a real zest for life
and a talent for packing so much into that life. Her physical and mental energy must have been formidable.
Her illness was cruel beyond belief and I know she would have fought hard and long.
May she rest in peace.
Lisa
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A couple of lines about Julia
I was at a show, can't remember which one or where, but I
was standing by the vetting in tables talking to
someone. I had seen Julia there when I first
arrived.
Someone else came up and asked if I had seen Julia.
I said that she had been there a few minutes earlier, and
looked round, there was no sign of her. I wandered
along behind the tables, and caught a whiff of cigarette
smoke.
Looking round I saw smoke coming up from behind
what I think was a pile of gym equipment. I peered
round behind it, and there was Julia puffing away.
I said "caught you", and all she replied was,"I'm waiting for
someone to vet in."
At our committee meetings, you could always rely on Julia
to find fault with the minutes.
I know I'm not perfect,
and it was sometimes hard to put down exactly who
said what, and what they said. You can't always put it
down word for word, and as I don't do shorthand, it all has
to written in full.
I'm sure that she used to bring things up whether they happened or not !
Quite often no one else could remember exactly what was said.
We assumed
that because she had a good memory, I had got it wrong - so I
usually just amended the points she raised…...!!!
Lin Jones (Soulstealer)
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No one needs to be told that Julia was unique, how many people share great intelligence with an equal amount of wit
and common sense.
I remember one of the first times I met Julia, I stared at her large silver ring on her finger, she took great delight
in telling me the centre piece had previously been owned by one of her tom cats, Champion and Premier Palantir Tom Bombadil.
You all know what I mean!
Glenda, Sally and myself formed the Oriental Cinnamon & Fawn Group in 1986 and we knew from the outset there could only
be one President. We approached Julia who attended the inaugural meeting along with other breeders interested in the
Cinnamons and Fawns. She became our President from that day, attending almost every meeting until her recent ill health,
leading and inspiring us all.
An example of her good work and leadership came with her writing style and experience.
When my cat had her first litter and I felt fully experienced to continue breeding Julia took me under her wing and
using Calypso the cinnamon female from this litter, Julia taught me in the most basic of terms how genetics worked,
this was then put into writing for us all and has been used as the Clubs Breeding Policy ever since.
Calypso from this first litter took great pleasure in being at the inaugural meeting of the cat club held at Glenda's
(vetted in by Julia of course). She then went on a few months later to give birth to Fudgie, Apri Fawn Fudge, the first
registered GCCF Oriental Fawn who caused quite a storm in the cat world.
Everyone who ever met him fell in love with him. At his first exhibition show, he was cuddled by one and all, and had
to be removed from the then GCCF president, Kay Burgess,who loved his colour and personality. Once in Julia arms,
he was gently persuaded by her to give blood. All of the exhibition cats followed suit and the blood was collected by
Julia for laboratory testings to help with the research into many of the vaccines we now take for granted.
To this day she is the only person I ever knew who didn't have a bed.
Sharon Wheaton (Apri)
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A Last Word
Julia was cremated at Enfield Crematorium, close to her home and the veterinary practice that she ran so dedicatedly for
many, many years, on Tuesday 25th August 2009.
The service was a humanist, non- religious, celebration of her life.
Her brother, Mark, spoke of her childhood, her determination to become one of the first female veterinary surgeons
in the country and how she stayed on at Bristol University to obtain far more than the basic qualifications.
As usual, if Julia was doing something, she had to do it perfectly.
His personal anecdotes made us all laugh aloud on several occasions – just what Julia would have wanted.
John Hansson also spoke with great feeling - of his long friendship with Julia and also her cussedness at times
when ideas or opinions clashed. He made us laugh, again, by saying it was impossible to win an argument with Julia.
Something we all knew and had experienced in our own ways.
He also spoke of the great loss of her intelligent input and the sheer hard work she did for the GCCF and the Cat
Fancy in general.
So many people came to say their last goodbyes that the Chapel was crammed. Even the standing space at the back was
full to bursting.
The GCCF was well represented as were all the Cat Clubs she supported so solidly.
Ex veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons who had worked for her over the years, judges and stewards,
friends and, of course, her family, all walked out of the Chapel and into the sunshine with smiles on their
faces and yet more anecdotes to talk over.
And everyone dressed as she had requested in casual, colourful clothes.
It really was a celebration. Just as she wished.
If anyone wishes to make a donation, Julia's preferred charities are:
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