Julia Patricia Ferguson

Julia “Julie” Patricia Ferguson (née Roche), age 84, passed away December 7, 2018 due to complications from peritoneal cancer. She died at her home in Long Beach, CA surrounded by her family.

Born April 22, 1934 on the outskirts of Chicago to Patrick and Mary Roche, Julie spent her childhood in Arlington Heights, IL with her five brothers, Brendan, Richard, John, Phil, and Paul.

Julie grew up during the Great Depression with her parents and five brothers. At an early age she developed a deep connection to God and her Catholic faith, particularly after the death of her mother at age 9. Soon after, Julie helped take care of her family by learning how to cook meals and, with the help of a neighbor over the phone, even a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner.

Julie excelled in school and made the National Honor Roll during her High School years. After graduation, her strong faith led her to join the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Mercy convent in Clyde, MO in 1952, where she stayed for one year before realizing her calling was to start a family.

In 1953, Julie moved west to join her father, settling in Downey, CA. There, she started work teaching 2nd Grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. Soon after, she met Jim Ferguson at a CYO event. They quickly fell in love and were married December 26, 1960. Their plans of settling into family life abruptly changed when Jim received his draft notice. During his time with the Army Security Agency, they spent one year in East Pepperell, MA, then moved to the island of Oahu where their daughter Loretta Marie was born.

In 1965, they moved back to Downey, eventually purchasing a house on Fostoria Street. This would become the beloved family home for many years to come. In 1972, Julie gave birth to her son Michael Joseph and her daughter Mary Cecelia in 1976. She made a point of being a stay-at-home mom, so her children would “never have to come home to an empty house after school.” Julie, first and foremost, identified herself as a mom and was dedicated to providing constant love and encouragement to her children.

Julie decided to go back to school to earn her English Literature BA degree from Cal State Long Beach at the age of 62. Soon after, Julie and Jim moved to Temecula where she became a Tutorial Services Specialist in the Learning Resource Center at Mt. San Jacinto College in Menifee. Julie also became the head of the Ministry of the Sick at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, regularly visiting retirement homes and offering communion and comfort to the sick and elderly in the parish.

In order to be closer to their grandkids, Jonathan and Patrick, Julie and Jim moved to Long Beach, CA in 2012. This time was filled with an abundance of family gatherings, attending Jonathan and Patrick’s sporting and school events, and relishing in all of the duties of being a grandmother, as well as one of the elders to the larger extended family. She also spent this time writing her memoir, entitled “Autumn Memories.”

Julie is survived by her husband Jim, her daughters Loretta and Mary, her son Michael, her brother Paul and grandsons, Jonathan and Patrick.

The Ferguson family would like to thank all the family and friends who supported her and the doctors and staff of Kaiser Permanente, Harbor City, and the Hospice staff for providing invaluable care to Julie through her battle with Cancer.

A funeral service for Julie was held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Seal Beach, CA on December 17, 2018.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401