Obituary
On Thursday, December 29th, 2022, Julia Anne Hutcheon (nee Christie) passed away peacefully at the age of 95.
Julia Anne is survived by four children, Brenda Johnson (Brian), Darryl (Mary Knowles), Brian (Frances Poelen), and Sandra Friesen (David); two grandchildren, Michael and Brittany Hutcheon; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, James Gardiner Hutcheon (1999), and siblings, David John Christie (1998) and Natt Christie (1995).
Julia Anne was born in Calgary, AB, to James Milner Christie and Augusta E. Christie (nee Paul). Her father died when Julia Anne was two years old.
Her widowed mother raised three children during the depression by teaching and renting houses while also relying on support from her husband’s extended family. Julia Anne’s uncle, Nat Christie, was very active in the community and encouraged her to ski, golf (Calgary Country Club), play badminton and tennis (Glencoe Club), and volunteer at the Stampede. She also joined her brothers in attending Queen’s University.
In Calgary she completed her diploma in nursing at the Calgary General Hospital. Julia Anne met her future husband, a chemical engineer, through his cousin Sheila. They married in Banff and had four children in seven years, while living in Calgary.
In 1959, Jim was transferred to Edmonton. After 10 years of raising her family, Julia Anne returned to nursing. However, hospital shift work was difficult with teenagers at home. Julia Anne decided to join her children at University of Alberta and completed her baccalaureate in nursing to become a public health nurse with the City of Edmonton.
Julia Anne was passionate about her work in the inner city. She was instrumental in starting clinics to assist refugees coming from Vietnam, in supporting school nurse programs and encouraging home visits. Julia Anne worked with the Bissell Centre, the Mustard Seed, and Catholic Social Services to coordinate support.
Julia Anne continued to be active in sports. As a member of the Royal Glenora Club since 1961, she enjoyed swimming, tennis, badminton, and duplicate bridge. When COVID limited her in-person connections, she learned how to play bridge on-line.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joris Butzelaar (Allin Clinic) for his caring and medical support over the last 8 years and the marvelous fifth floor nursing and aid staff at Revera Our Parents Home for the kindness they showed our mother during her last two years.
Julia Anne’s Funeral will be held at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 11111 57 Ave. NW, Edmonton, T6H 0Z6, on Tuesday, January 10, at 1:00 p.m.
If you wish, please consider making a Memorial Donation to the charity of your choice, the Edmonton Humane Society, or the Edmonton School Lunch Program.
