Obituary of Julia Donnelle Roy

Julia Donnelle Roy (nee Ballew): born December 12, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan, passed away on August 11, 2016 to the strains of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." Surrounded by her loved ones, Julia's passion for family, music, art, food, and civic causes was celebrated as she moved into a life without bodily pain. Born at the Army base at Historic Fort Wayne, Julia grew up in several communities in southern Michigan, graduating from Athens high school. She attended nursing school at Marion County General Hospital, Indianapolis, and immediately began her nursing career at Northville State Psychiatric in 1957. After a four month courtship that began at a ski weekend in Snow Valley she married Earl Francis "The Captain" Roy on July 14, 1962. While raising her children, she finished her BSN degree at Wayne State University. She subsequently worked at the Lafayette Clinic, Harper Hospital, the Young Adult Institute, and St. Joseph Mercy in Ypsilanti, where she retired in 2002. After a psychiatric nursing career of over 40 years, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to volunteerism, the arts, her family, and (most particularly) her grandchildren. She could be found at Planned Parenthood, the American Red Cross, darkened theaters, music recitals and concerts, Jazz Festivals, crew regattas, field hockey games, ice hockey rinks, basketball courts, lacrosse fields, and volleyball matches. No birthday or anniversary was unmarked, and her daily readings yielded clippings and remembrances enclosed with personal notes to friends and family alike. She embraced life at its fullest, enamored with all forms of artistic expression teaching us all to find joy in every nook and corner. She is survived by Earl "Bud" Roy, Rob & Adele, Matt & Tricia, James & Yvonne, Tina grandchildren Daniel, Alexus, Griffin, Elizabeth, TJ, Casey, Maddie, and Lucie; great grand-daughter Nalaha. A true celebration of Julia's life will take place at Wolverine State Brewing Company, 2019 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please VOTE! Please take a moment to sign Julia's guestbook.