Julie Ostertag died on 2/28/21 from complications of the Covid virus.
She had a lovely personality and loved birds and the outdoors. Julie loved to sing and perform and she made art at the Center for Creative Works.
She will be missed by her mother Kathleen, her father Franz and her sister Allison Pierson (Jay). She will also be missed by her uncles Fred (Josefa Mundo) and Guy, her Aunt Mary Lou Klein (Thomas) and her dog Sadie, and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
She will also be missed by the many friends from 63rd Street, Vernon House, Lucas Community in New Hampshire and Camphill Special Schools in Glenmoore, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Camphill School, attn: Development Office, 1784 Fairview Rd., Glenmoore, PA 19343 https://camphillschool.org/giving/ways-to-give/
Her Service will be live-streamed on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 10 am.
Topic: Julie Ostertag’s Funeral
Time: Mar 5, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Dear Kathy, Franz, and Allison,
It was with great sadness that I read about Julie’s passing. At my age I am beginning to check the obituaries fairly regularly but do not expect to see someone as young as Julie there. My deepest sympathies to all of you. You were an important part of our lives and I remember when you first brought Julie home. All is well with our family – spread out coast to coast.
With love,
Sharon and Sandy Ewing
EULOGY for JULIE
Like most of you, I have a few memories of Julie that stand out in my head. And, I’m sure, over the next days, and weeks and months, many more will pop up and make me smile. For those of you who did not know her, Julie was a ray of light, a sunbeam!
Julie loved flowers. Her favorite flowers were anything yellow or pink, but she loved all beautiful flowers. She loved all sorts of birds: whether Canadian geese flying over or a woodpecker in the back yard, but owls were her passion. She liked to imitate their call and would grow all excited if she saw or heard one. She loved butterflies, which were her passion before owls. She loved all sorts of animals, but her yellow lab, Sadie, was her favorite. “I love you, Sadie girl.” Julie loved just about everyone and everything.
What is her legacy? We talk about one’s legacy in terms of “accomplishments.” But one’s real legacy is not about accomplishments, but about the affect one’s presence in the world has on the people around us with whom we come into contact. By this definition, Julie was a giant! To paraphrase Will Rogers, she never met a person she did not like. She made the world a little bit better for the people she met and for those who knew her. To everyone she met, she was automatically friendly: ‘Hi, I’m Julie, what’s your name?” “How are you?” “I love your hair or hat or dress or t-shirt” or whatever about you she took a fancy to. And at the end of every encounter, she nearly always ended with an “I love you!” In the words of one friend: “…she raised my spirits whenever I saw her. She was the epitome of joy – welcoming, smiling, embracing, effervescent.” …That says it all!
Julie loved to write and draw. She would spend hours drawing and writing away in her numerous notebooks – most of it was indecipherable – except to Julie.
Julie was a hugger: “Hug me Mommy” “Hug me Daddy.”
In thinking about all this and putting together what I wanted to say about Julie, I gradually came to realize that I am NOT like Julie and that is NOT a good thing. So, the legacy she leaves for me, is my pledge to try to be more like Julie – and THAT IS a good thing!
Her Candle still burns brightly! We miss you, Julie! And, WE love you! Goodbye, Julie! See you later, alligator!
I live across the hall from Kathleen in Vernon House. This was beautiful — thank you so much.
Dear Katherine, Franz and Allison
Hold your heads up high and keep in your hearts the fond memories
And the experiences Julie shared. Julie was a unique and loving
Individual often misunderstood but to know her was to love her. I could
write a book about Julie starting with the day we met. Story after story and after story and most with a happy ending “most” lol but that’s
Just the way it was. Julie will never be forgotten her spirit will forever
put a smile on the face of everyone that knew her. Rest well Julie aka
Britney Spears your day has come and you earned your crown
To those of you who didn’t know Julie, she was a ray of light, a sunbeam. One of God’s special children, one of His innocents.
Julie loved flowers, all kinds, but yellow and pink were her favorites. If you pointed some out: “I love them.” She loved all kinds of birds. When the geese were honking over head, she’d get all excited – same when she heard a woodpecker: “Woody woodpecker.” But owls where her passion. Whenever she heard or saw one, she’d get all excited: “Hoo, Hoo!” She loved butterflies, which were her passion before owls. And she loved every kind of animal, but her yellow lab, Sadie, was her treasure: “I love you, Sadie girl.”
To paraphrase Will Rogers, Julie never met a person she didn’t like. To everyone she met: “Hi, I’m Julie. How are you? I love your hair or hat or dress or t-shirt or whatever about you she took a fancy to. And invariably, every encounter or goodbye ended with “I LOVE you.” That was Julie. She loved just about everyone and everything.
Julie loved to write and draw. She’d spend hours filling up notebook after notebook. Most of it was indecipherable, but not to Julie.
Julie was a hugger. “Hug me Mommy.” “Hug me Daddy.”
I’ve used the word “love” quite often here when talking about Julie. I think it was her favorite word.
Her Candle still burns brightly. We miss you Julie. WE love you! Goodbye! See you later alligator! your uncle guy
I will always remember Julie’s indominable spirit and cherish my memories of her. We are indebted to the sacrifices you and Franz and Alison made to nurture Julie and bring her joyous light into our lives.
Thanks and love,
Andrew
Allsion and Family:
Though I only had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Julie a few times, I, too, was blessed by her effervescence, playful wit and warmth. My heart goes out to you and your family for losing Julie at such a young age. I know her gifts will resonnate always and the love and support of family and friends will bring you comfort.
With my deepest sympathy
Peg Shaw
Julie was one-of-a-kind! A warm, friendly and happy young lady. She loved songs and musicals. I would always call her Julie Andrews and she would sing: “the hills are alive with the sound of music!” We would then both laugh! What a wonderful soul who will be dearly missed!!
I have already heard other people say this: that Julie had a big smile for everyone, but she made you feel like you were a particular favorite. When she first came to the studio at The Center for Creative Works, she knew my name before I knew hers. She had a way of saying a name with such warmth.
I’ve been trying to think about why her greetings felt like I had been given a blessing. I think she gave these wonderful greetings knowing that her warmth had a power to touch you. She knew she had something to give and out of affection, she gave it. I felt like I was blessed by a big sister, in a reversal of the usual roles.
To Julie’s parents,
So sorry for your loss.
Julie was a good friend of mine.
I will miss her.
Always, Danielle
Franz
We were so saddened to learn of Julie’s passing. You and the entire Ostertag family are in our thoughts and prayers. Our hope is that your wonderful memories of Julie bring you comfort. May she rest peaceful in eternal life.
With deepest condolences
Kathy and Joe
Dear Kathleen,
Jasmin just let me know about Julie’s death. Please know I am praying for you and all your family. Peace be with you all.
Love,
Ramona Cecille