Mary Elizabeth DiJulio

1920 - 2016

Mary Elizabeth DiJulio

Mary Elizabeth DiJulio was born in Seattle on November 24, 1920 and passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2016 at the age of 95. Mary Beth was one of four children born to James and Cecily Wilson. Mary Beth attended Holy Rosary elementary school, graduated from West Seattle High School, and also attended the University of Washington. She and her identical twin sister Kathryn became Seattle's first twin models, and in 1940, obtained jobs that made them locally famous: elevator operators at Seattle's Frederick & Nelson department store. With their jet-black hair and radiant smiles, they made a striking combination. Frederick's elevator operators were judiciously selected, had to be between 5'4" to 5'6" tall, and wore high-fashion uniforms and white gloves; they set a classy tone for the store. Mary Beth married George N. DiJulio on October 30, 1948 and they settled in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle until 1958 when they relocated to Mercer Island. Mary Beth was preceded in death by George, her husband of 64 years, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 93. Mary Beth is survived by her 7 children: George, Jr. (Mary Smersh, fiance;, Mercer Island) of Redmond, Chris of Kirkland, Betsy Biehn (Dave), Pat (Mary), Doug (Regina), and Lisa Given (Bryce) all of Mercer Island, and Matthew (Julie) of Bellevue. Additionally, there are 24 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Mary Beth's passions revolved around her husband, her twin sister Kathryn, and her family. She enjoyed playing golf, bridge, and sewing.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Monica's Parish on Mercer Island at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18 with a reception following in the Parish Hall. Interment for family members will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle. Funeral arrangements are being made through Columbia Funeral Home of Seattle. In lieu of flowers, remembrances should be made to St. Monica's Catholic Church, or to the charity of your choice.