Julia Ann Macphee

Our dear Julie - a true angel on earth- was taken from us much too soon. Julie was born on December 29th, 1958 and passed away on July 8th, 2018. Julie was a labor and delivery nurse and her passion for nursing defined her life. Her most cherished role was being a caregiver to our parents, Nick and Fran. She lovingly and unselfishly cared for our dad for years as he struggled with Parkinson’s and dementia. After our dad passed away, she became more than just a daughter to our mom. She was her rock and constant companion. Julie also cared for her large extended family, serving as medical guru and providing her unwavering presence through thick and thin. She became a runner and surprised and inspired us all at midlife by conquering the Bellingham marathon and many others. She was an amazing and compassionate friend, quick to help those who needed her. She was a treasured aunt who loved to read and sing to her 12 nieces and nephews when they were babies and took a genuine interest in their lives as they grew. In addition to her family and friends, Julie loved babies, books, dogs, birds and the color cobalt blue. She played a mean game of cards and played each week with her mom, aunts and brother Dan. She was proud of her accomplishments in the gym and could out dead-lift us all. Most recently, Julie was honored to receive the DAISY award from PeaceHealth Medical Center which recognizes extraordinary nurses. Much to Julie’s delight, a mother named her baby after her due to the loving care she provided; coincidentally, she was born on Julie’s birthday. Julie attended Lowell Elementary, Fairhaven Middle School and graduated from Sehome High School in 1977. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seattle University in 1981. Julie worked at Northwest Hospital in the emergency room where she was charge nurse for many years and then switched to labor and delivery. In 2005 Julie moved back to Bellingham to be close to her parents where she continued her career bringing babies into the world at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Childbirth Center. Julie was so very loved and will be greatly missed by her mother, Frances MacPhee, her brother Nick MacPhee and wife Libby, sister Kathy Heinrich, sister Molly Bulloch and husband George, sister Connie Hodgson and husband Gregor, brother Dan MacPhee and wife Teri; her nieces Kelli Schuman, Kayla Heinrich, Taylor Heinrich, Katie Stigile, Laura Bulloch, Lindsay Hodgson, Jaclyn Hodgson and Madison MacPhee; her nephews Riley MacPhee, Casey MacPhee, JJ Heinrich, and Nicholas MacPhee; her wonderful aunts and uncles with whom she was so close; her numerous cousins and all of her many friends and coworkers. Remembrances can be made to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Childbirth Center where an endowment will be established in Julie’s name to provide a book to every newborn baby. A memorial mass will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a reception following at 2:30pm at Bellingham Golf and Country Club. You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com .