Julie Sullivan Merriam 7/9/1947 - 6/10/2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Julie Merriam announces her unexpected passing on June 10 in Denver, Colorado. Born Julie Anne Sullivan on July 9, 1947, she spent her childhood and early high school years in Garden Grove, California. She moved to Auburn in 1963 with her mother, and graduated from Placer High School in 1965. Julie worked as an Eligibility Worker for the Placer County Welfare Department for many years until she became a Social Worker; it was during that time that she met Fred Merriam at a Rotary Club Halloween party. Since she was a "third wheel" with the couple who brought her to the party, Fred offered to drive her home. That short drive ended with their marriage in August of 1973. They celebrated 50 years together in 2023. After many years of hoping for a child, Julie finally gave birth to her son David in 1983. Six years later she began working as a teacher's aide at St. Joseph Elementary School in Auburn, and later as a Librarian there. Anyone who knew her would attest to her lifelong love affair with cats, cooking, quilting, and reading. She was also an enthusiastic collector of both Madame Alexander dolls, and Department 56 Snow Villages, which took up residence on nearly every vacant surface in her home during the Christmas season. In December of 2024, after 24 years in their beloved home on Aeolia Drive in Auburn, Julie and Fred moved to Broomfield, Colorado to be closer to their son and his family. Julie was preceded in death by her father Leo, mother Virginia Souza and stepfather Robert Souza, and grandparents on both sides of the family. She is survived by her husband Fred; son David (Erin) and grandchildren Jackson and Hannah; brother Patrick (Pam) and nieces Shannon Sullivan Duffy (Michael) and Erin Sullivan; sister-in-law Joan Merriam; and many other relatives and cherished friends. A memorial service will be held in Auburn in early August to celebrate Julie's life; we will post an announcement at that time. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends may donate in Julie's name to a local cat rescue organization or a favorite charity.