Julia Ann Young McNeely, RN passed peacefully at her home at the age of 88 on March 8, 2017. Julia was many things and she loved many things! Known as Judy by most of her friends and family members, she was a daughter, sister, mother, nurse, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, caregiver, and friend. She loved the time she spent with her family, especially at her home of 53 years. She loved working in her beautiful yard, vegetable garden, and flower beds. She loved painting, sitting on her porch, talking about the world, sharing stories and an occasional Coors Lite, giving counsel when asked, helping others, making sure no one was hungry, and knowing that everything was in its rightful place. She was feisty and opinionated while being selfless and generous. She was determined, tenacious, strong, particular, energetic, and always busy. Julia was born in Frankfort, Indiana on January 23, 1929 to Arnel Young and Marie O'Hara Young and was raised there among a large extended family. In the midst of the Great Depression, the Young family traveled out west to work as migrant farmers until they were able to return to Clinton County. In the early 1940's, Julia and her family supported the war effort by sewing uniforms for soldiers, and she always remembered how much they teased her for not being a good seamstress. After high school, Judy attended Indiana University in Bloomington until she was old enough to enter nursing school. At age 18 Julia had the courage and fortitude to move to Washington, D.C. where she entered St. Elizabeth's School of Nursing and worked at St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital as a student nurse. Later, while working at the VA Hospital in Houston, Judy married John F. McNeely, a physician. Divorced in 1964, a determined Julia moved to Irving with her four young sons. She completed her B.S. degree at TWU in Denton while also working and raising her boys on her own. After graduation, she spent nearly 25 years caring for patients with chronic diseases, including many years at Irving Community/Baylor Hospital. At one time, she was the only nurse on the floor who was willing to draw blood from a patient with AIDS. Though she retired from the hospital at age 62, she really never quit working. Miss Judy spent many Sundays caring for toddlers in a church nursery, and she took blood pressures of old people on Wednesdays at Gibson Pharmacy until she was 87. Julia was preceded in death by her parents and four older siblings: Robert Bob Young, Miriam Mitzi Hunter, Margaret Alice Young, and Mary Biddy Hanna. Julia is survived by her four sons: Scott Braxton and wife Kelly of Rockport, Kevin Arnel of Irving, John Brian of Dearborn, MI, and Kelly Alan and wife Lisa of Arlington. She has 7 grandchildren: Casey Martin of Houston, Jere Arnel and wife Tiffany of San Antonio, Rachel Rene Westen of Frisco, Meagan Mary of Ft. Worth, Mitchell Powell of Denton, Patrick Callahan of College Station, and Lauren Marie of Arlington. Kenley Marie Beard is her great-granddaughter. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and her beloved canine companion, Bella. Julia was thankful that she was able to live out her days in the home she loved so well with the help of her family, especially Kevin. The family is grateful for her caregivers, especially Hannah and Diana, and the staff at Vitas, including Lupe, Carla, Martha, Jane, and Brigitte. Friends and family will gather for a memorial service for Julia at 11:00 on Saturday, April 8 in the chapel at Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home. Her nephew, the Rev. Gary Hill, will officiate the service. If so led, you may honor Julia's dedication to nursing by donating to the Irving Healthcare Foundation. Gifts made in her memory will enhance the hospital's Meditation Garden. Donations may be made on-line at www.healthyirving.org or mailed to IHF, 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 150, Irving, TX 75061. SERVICES

Memorial Service

Saturday, April 08, 2017 11:00 AM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062