Julie M. Larson

Julie Mae Larson, 63, of Estero, Florida, moved onto higher ground on October 20, 2023, after a fiercely fought battle with metastatic ovarian cancer. Until the end, Julie continued to “rage against the dying of the light.” (Dylan Thomas) Never complaining throughout almost two years of suffering, and continuing to work until the end, Julie’s mantra was “everything is fine here and I’m doing good.” Having exhausted all medical remedies, she moved beyond her worn-out physical body on Friday surrounded by her loving and devoted sisters, Jill and Jaye, at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, Florida. Julie was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on August 23, 1960, the eldest of three daughters born to the late Ronald A. Larson and Jean M. Larson (nee McElroy). Julie was raised in Edinboro, where her late father was a professor in the Earth Sciences Department at Edinboro University and her mother was a teacher at Edinboro Elementary. At General McLane High School she was a member of the varsity volleyball team, which was the PIAA State runner-up in both 1977 and 1978. Julie continued to play in women’s and co-ed volleyball leagues for the next twenty years, while pursuing two professions. Like her Dad before her, Julie was a proud graduate of THE Ohio State University in 1983, where she received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. She worked as a pharmacist for ten years in the Cleveland area. Being an extremely avid reader like her Mother, and seeking a greater challenge, Julie then decided to switch gears and go to law school. She received a full scholarship to attend Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law. Upon graduation, she was hired at the prestigious firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease in their Cleveland branch. She excelled there as a first chair litigator, representing Fortune 500 companies. Eschewing the enticement of partnership, after a decade at the firm Julie chose to carve her own path and create a balanced life in sunny Florida. She intentionally preferred quality of life over the pursuit of money and status. Florida allowed her to escape the northern winters and maximize her love of outdoor pursuits year-round: at the beach, biking, kayaking, and hiking. There she resumed her pharmacy career and enjoyed a fulfilling and self-contained life of meaningful but not debilitating work. She took after her mother in crafting…. especially mandala painting and acrylic pours that her mother taught her. In her 60s she decided to learn to play piano and in her determined, steadfast way, she did learn to play. Her choices also enabled Julie to pursue her love of traveling, and she especially enjoyed the annual Larson family trip to the Outer Banks. Julie was the loving mother of a multitude of cats, whom she gathered into her car to evacuate a hurricane at least once. She leaves to cherish her memory a close and loving family: her beloved mother, Jean, of Edinboro, PA; her sisters Jill Larson (Mark Hanish) and nieces Mica and Leuca Hanish, of Baden, PA; Jaye Larson, and nephew Cole Johnson, of Edinboro, PA; and Dayna Larson (Aaron) of Pittsburgh, PA; her brother Reid Larson (Sheera) of Medford MA, her dear friends, Jackie, Julie, Lisa, Alyssa and Elisa, and her eight feline children. There will be no public services. The family will celebrate Julie’s legacy privately. In Julie’s honor and to help her spirit expand even further: read a lot, be a good friend, create your own best life, see as much of the world as you want, work and play hard, laugh a lot, don’t suffer fools lightly, stay close to family, never feel sorry for yourself, look at the bright side, and stay hopeful. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Julie M. Larson

August 23, 1960 - October 20, 2023