Juliaette Brothers

Julie Brothers, 70 of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on August 1, 2023, after a long battle with a bad heart. Though Julie eventually succumbed to a heart damaged by rheumatic fever when she was 10 years old, that is not the heart by which she will ultimately be remembered. She will be remembered for her huge heart, her generous heart, her open heart, her loving heart, and her brave heart.

It is impossible to fully explain such a full life in this small 2 dimensional space, but here are some snapshots of who she was, where she came from, and what those of us who knew and loved her will remember.

Julie was born in Sturgis, Michigan on June 14, 1953, the Daughter of Avis and Victor Brothers. She grew up in Centreville, Michigan with one brother (Michael), two sisters (Patty and Vicki), and life-long friends such as Wilma and Diane.

Always the adventurer, Julie chose to attend high school at Dominican Academy in Oxford, Michigan, graduated in 1971, and pursued her degree at Northern Michigan University in the of her beloved Marquette.. While at Northern, Julie explored the wilds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, became a forever member of the Delta Zeta Sorority, learned what “real snow” is, that beer is delicious, and again cultivated new life-long friendships.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Drama, she began her teaching career in Detroit Public Schools. Her teaching career spanned nearly 40 years and took her from Detroit to Grand Rapids where she retired from teaching as part of East Kentwood Schools. Along the way she earned her Masters Degree from Western Michigan University in Career and Technical Education, showered her students with love, care, and the skills to navigate the peaks and valleys of adulthood, and formed friendships with her colleagues that have spanned decades.

Beyond this brief history, Julie will be remembered for her:

-Incredible ability to love and be loved.

-The love of her family and being the ever present center that kept us together.

-Artistic talents as a fashion designer, painter, master seamstress, and color analyst.

-Being the greatest Aunt in the history of Aunts.

-Her incredible ability to develop, cultivate, and maintain lasting friendships.

-Her love of the outdoors, all things green, and the natural world.

-An amazing sense of humor that opened the hearts of so many.

-Her infectious and generous laughter.

-Her care, light, love, angels, and white light that she showered upon so many.

Julie was preceded in her passing by her father, Victor (1990), and mother, Avis (2011). She is survived by her brother, Michael (Cynthia); sisters, Patty, and Vicki; nieces, Ann (Duncan), and Genise (Joe); and her excellent feline companions, Caruso and Sheeba.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023, in the Pfeiffer Room at Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 from 12:00 - 4:00 pm with a short ceremony taking place at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Julie’s name to your local Humane Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/grand-rapids-cremation for the Brothers family.