Julia Elisabeth Brown
1936 - 2024
JULIA was born in Marlborough to Jack and Elisabeth Blakiston. Her mother died a few weeks later, so Julia and her older sister Natalie were cared for by Jack’s mother and then Griselda, her step-mother, who later gave birth to their sister Virginia.
Brought up in Winchester, Julia was a shy child. From seven, she was sent to boarding school, returning for sixth-form to the girls’ grammar, where her strong character emerged.
Capping her French and English degree at Southampton with teacher training at Homerton, Cambridge, she was appointed to Horris Hill prep school.
There she met her husband Geoffrey. From the start in 1961 of their long, devoted marriage they welcomed all to their unique home, establishing a secure, creative, rural life for their children.
Julia’s expert organisational skills produced bonfire parties, bluebell walks, treasure hunts and picnics for boating on local waterways.
Later their many friends willingly joined in their Walking for Epilepsy Campaign after the death of Helena, the youngest of their five children, raising over £37,000.
Julia is particularly remembered in the community, firstly as a successful, imaginative teacher at Hampstead Norreys Primary School.
She enjoyed its scope for an innovative curriculum, deriding governmental restrictions.
Subsequently her brilliant culinary skills flourished in the provision of regular community lunches. The hot meals and delicious baking brought increasing numbers who also appreciated fascinating, often funny conversation.
Her personal interests included much foreign travel. Widely read, she joined a literary group and loved composing witty verse.
From her quirkily tended, beautiful terrace garden she could chat to passers-by; handy during Covid, and for bird-watching.
Along with her ‘Knit and Natter’ group in her much-cherished church she produced gorgeous long scarves. Her continual involvement in the Roman Catholic church underpinned her life following her mother’s faith.
She faced challenges including her final illness, with courage, determined energy and humour.
She will be hugely missed by everyone, not least her talented family of four children and 10 grandchildren. She was a remarkable woman.
JANE McINTOSH
