Julianne Marie Richardson, known to all as Julie, passed away on April 6, 2024, at the age of 60, surrounded by all her family and many close friends, in Castro Valley, California. She was born on December 10, 1963, in San Leandro, California, to J. Carden and Marian (Rago) Smith.
From a young age, Julie was passionate about music. Besides being blessed with a beautiful singing voice, she enjoyed playing the piano and the flute. She also had a deep love for swimming, a joy she carried throughout her life. Julie cherished spending time with her extended family, especially during Sunday dinners, and had a special bond with her siblings and childhood friends. Growing up, Julie was a very thoughtful, caring, humble individual and intentional in all she did.
Graduating Maxima Cum Laude from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California, in 1982, she went on to study at the University of San Francisco before transferring to Holy Names College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in both Liberal Studies and Psychology in 1985. From there she received her Teaching Credential and was a proud member of Kappa Gamma Pi, the Catholic Women Leaders Honor Society.
Julie met Tom Richardson in October 1980 in Alameda, California, at St. Joseph High School. Their love story began with a first date in March 1984, and two years later, in May 1986, they were engaged. They married on July 25, 1987, at St. Leander’s Catholic Church in San Leandro and settled in San Leandro until 1995, when they moved to Castro Valley, where they remained until Julie’s passing.
Julie’s career as an educator was a testament to her nurturing and caring spirit. She taught fourth grade at Holy Spirit School in Fremont, California, where she made a lasting impact on her students. After several years of teaching, she transitioned to work for the family business, Smith Industrial, in 1988, before stepping back in 1992 to focus on raising her children.
Family meant everything to Julie. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt, a caring wife and mother, and she treasured every moment spent with her loved ones. As a mother, Julie created a warm, loving home where every meal was thoughtfully prepared, and daily family dinners were an opportunity to connect and share the events of the day. She passed on her love of cooking to her family with binders of recipes full of notes on who liked what and her own special modifications. Her devotion extended beyond her own children, as she was a second mother to many – including nieces, nephews, neighborhood children, godchildren, and her children’s friends. Many will recall her words as they left the house, “Make good choices.” She always wanted her home to be the place the kids wanted to hang out and it was. Julie’s home was always a welcoming place, where everyone felt loved, accepted, and cared for.
Julie was deeply adored by her three grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Whether it was curled up under a cozy blanket watching tv or reading an endless array of children’s books, she was always eager to connect with them. Though distance kept her from visiting as often as she would have liked, Julie made sure to stay close through daily video chats—often several times a day. These calls would include delighting in the kids painting, crafting, completing puzzles and having impromptu dance parties. No matter how busy she was, she would always pause what she was doing to be present, to chat, and simply enjoy their company. Julie took immense pride in supporting her children in their parenting journeys and being a present Noni to her grandchildren.
Julie had a deep, unwavering Catholic faith and daily prayer defined her life. Her devotion to Mother Mary and the rosary brought great strength and peace to her. Over her life she made various pilgrimages to Marian apparition sites. Dedicated to attending Mass every week, she led her family in faith. She loved volunteering at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, even after her children had graduated and moved on to Bishop O'Dowd High School. She regularly volunteered with Catholic Charities, where she worked closely with refugee families to help them transition to life in the United States.
Julie was a woman who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She enjoyed walks and coffee dates with her closest friends. She loved exercising. She maintained a consistent swimming routine in the summer and year-round, daily power walks. The hustle and bustle of having five children at home gave her life; she thrived in the energy of her busy family. Reading was one of her favorite hobbies and was particularly enjoyed most with the backdrop of constant noise and chatter amongst her kids and their cousins and friends. You could always find her beloved dog, Zorro, by her side while she read a book, or took a walk in the neighborhood. Her love for nature was evident in her delight at seeing frogs, lizards, and butterflies around her yard.
Julie was known for her love of good food, good company, and good drinks. Julie loved red wine, pale ales, martinis, and negronis. She was an incredible host, always happy to have family and friends over for birthdays, holidays, and impromptu gatherings for a game of bocce ball. Her family also enjoyed special projects, such as harvesting grapes from the DEMAJ vineyard in their yard. Julie’s love for travel took her to many places, but her favorite spots were always those with a beach. Whether it was the lake in Tahoe, the Monterey Peninsula, or traveling throughout Italy and Ireland, Julie found peace by the water.
Julie’s strength, kindness, generosity, and selflessness will be remembered by all who knew her. In August 1999, she was diagnosed, fought, and was cured of breast cancer while she was pregnant with their fifth child, Dominic. Then in August of 2023 she was diagnosed with an incredibly rare cancer known as alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and after a courageous eight-month battle, she passed away. She is now resting at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette, California.
Julie is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Tom; their five children, Jonathan (Chelsae), Andrew (Brianna), Madeline, Elizabeth, and Dominic; her grandchildren, Keira, June, and Beckham; her parents, Carden and Marian Smith; her siblings, Annette Seelig (Robert) and Carden Smith (Osie); as well as her many nieces and nephews.
Julie will be deeply missed, but her love for her family, her friends, and her faith community will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
