Millbury – Joan T. (Kelley) Julian, 76, formerly of Shrewsbury, died Thursday, March 15, 2012. She passed peacefully at her daughter's home, surrounded by her loving family. Born July 13, 1935 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late John and Catherine Kelley (Monahan). Her husband of 46 years, Raymond Julian, died in September 2000.
She leaves her five children, Brian Julian and his wife Beverly of Worcester, John Julian and his wife Carol of Dudley, Linda Hester and her husband Mark of Douglas, Lisa McNamara and her companion Kenneth DiGiovanni of Millbury, Kelly Jones and her husband Evan of Millbury, and John McNamara, her former son-in-law of Shrewsbury. She leaves nine cherished grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; her siblings, Thomas J. Kelley of North Carolina, John J. Kelley of Worcester, and Kathleen M. Rivard of Worcester.
Learning was very important to Mrs. Julian, and she graduated from Ascension High School and the Hahnemann School of Nursing. She received a BS degree in Health from Anna Maria College and a Master's degree in Nursing. She would eventually earn a Master's degree in Education.
She was a practicing registered nurse in three Worcester hospitals for 19 years, the Supervisor of Nursing at Thorton Nursing Home in Northborough, and Substitute Teacher of Nursing at Assabet Regional High School for several years. She would eventually take a position as a science teacher at Millbury Junior-Senior High School, where she would teach for 20 years, retiring in 1992.
Teaching was Mrs. Julian's passion and was one of the most rewarding experiences of her career. She possessed a gift that allowed her to teach in a unique way; she had the ability to combine classroom curriculum with activities and experiments that encouraged and promoted a fun learning experience for all her students. She was the teacher everyone wanted to have.
She was a member of St. Mary's Parish in Shrewsbury and of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and MEA for many years. She was also member of the Women's Guild at St. Mary's and the Shrewsbury Welcome Wagon for several years.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Monday March 19, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. A funeral Mass celebrating Mrs. Julian's life will be held Tuesday, March 20, at 11 a.m., at St. Bridget's Church, 59 Main St., Millbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA, 02472.
To share your thoughts and memories, please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com.
