Julianna Carole McIsaac (nee Kuproski) died peacefully on September 12, 2023 as the only beam of sun on an overcast day broke through the clouds to shine on her beautiful face.
Julie was born on July 6, 1946 in Hamilton, Ontario to Ukrainian immigrants Julian and Olga. She was older sister to Ted, as well as Mary, who died in infancy. Julie spent her childhood surrounded by an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She enjoyed playing piano and completed her Associate Diploma of the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Julie graduated from the University of Toronto’s Dental Hygiene program in 1966 and worked as a hygienist in the Hamilton area. She met Dr Howard McIsaac in 1969 at the Hamilton Academy of Dentistry Christmas party and they were married 9 months later at Christ the Cathedral Church in Hamilton. Weeks after the wedding ceremony, Julie and Howie moved to Germany where they lived on pennies, slept in airports, and saw many countries. They moved back to Canada two years later but would return to Europe frequently as empty nesters.
Julie and Howie settled in Burlington, buying the house they still live in today. That house was very much a central character in Julie’s life. It was where she raised her children Caroline and Kathryn; it was home to many beloved pets, most notably Boomer and Ginger; it was the place of many social gatherings, including her annual Christmas Eve bash; it was where she sat in the backyard and admired her garden, delighting at the birds chirping and flowers growing.
For much of her adult life, she looked after her mother and her children. She made it look easy. Although she must have been exhausted, she never once complained. She also spent time giving back to her community, volunteering as a pianist at Holy Rosary Parish for over 20 years and the Good Shephard Society food bank for over 25 years.
Julie loved going for drives in the country with Howie; relaxing in her orange chair; cooking classes; and dinner dances. Of course, Julie cherished most her family and friends.
In more recent years, Julie loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She showed immense creativity and was known for silly song compositions and amazing story telling. She showed endless enthusiasm for playing restaurant and was a dependable lifeguard monitoring the kids as they swam.
She is predeceased by parents Julian and Olga (nee Spakowski) Kuproski, sister Mary Kuproski, and sister-in-law Lynda Kuproski. She is survived by loving husband of 53 years, Howard, daughters Caroline (Sunil Johal) and Kathryn (David Stock), and grandchildren Nathan, Anna, Penelope, and Margaret; brother Ted Kuproski, sister-in-law Mary-Anne Davidson, great aunt Joan Kling, nieces Nichole Coons, Erin Wynne, Laura Leslie, and nephew Michael Davidson as well as many cousins. The family would like to thank the friends and family who connected with Julie through her brief illness, at the hospital, through phone calls, via email. Your presence demonstrates how Julie impacted so many lives. We would like to particularly acknowledge Gurmit Johal and Gina and Nouri Safavi for their friendship and support over the years.
We are grateful for the incredible staff at Joseph Brant Hospital: the cleaning staff, the nurses, the personal support workers and the physicians. You touched us all.
Visitation will be at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant St. (one block north of City Hall) on Friday September 29, 2023 from 3-5pm and 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Burlington on Saturday September 30, 2023 at 11am. Immediately following the Mass, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Royal Botanical Gardens in the Cherry Hill Tent at Hendrie Park (Plains Road). A private burial will be held with family and close friends a few days after her funeral mass. She will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Burlington.
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