Poet and longtime Palmer, Alaska, resident Julie Hungiville LeMay passed away at home on March 30, 2019. She was 64 years old. A memorial service will be in June 2019 in Palmer.
Julie was born on April 13, 1954, in Buffalo N.Y., to James and Michele Hungiville. As a child she was an avid reader and adventurous spirit. When she graduated from Orchard Park High School at the age of 17, she moved to Colorado with her brother and friends. In 1977, she came to Alaska with John LeMay and they were married on Lazy Mountain. In 1985, the family built a home in Chickaloon, Alaska. Julie later moved to Palmer.
Julie worked for more than 25 years at Matanuska Electric Association as an accountant. It was shortly after her retirement that she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In the seven years since her diagnosis, Julie completed her Master of Fine Arts in poetry at Antioch University and published her book "The Echo of Ice Letting Go" with University of Alaska Press, as well as having her poems appear in magazines in the U.S., Ireland and England. She also traveled to Tibet to see her friends at Jatson Chumig School, went to Europe with her daughter Eowyn, saw her granddaughter Grace sing in Montreal, Quebec, spent afternoons with her granddaughter Aurora, visited her parents in Buffalo, spent time with her son Forrest, and hiked in the mountains with her dogs. Her family thanks the doctors and nurses who made that time possible, especially Dr. Joanie Hope and Dr. Jeanne Anderson.
Julie was a founding member of 49 Writers, as well as a member of the Betties Book Club and a local meditation group. She also enjoyed hiking with her friends and all of their dogs.
She has been described by her family and many friends as a graceful light in the world, a remarkable poet and someone who had known sadness but endeavored to bring joy into other people's lives. She had a beautiful smile that people remembered years after meeting her.
Julie is survived by her parents, James and Michelle Hungiville; her son, Forrest LeMay; her daughter, Eowyn Ivey; son-in-law, Sam Ivey; and granddaughters, Grace and Aurora Ivey. She was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Hungiville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local library or to Jatson Chumig School at http://www.jatsontibet.org/.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News on Apr. 7, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Julie LeMay

12 Entries

Kerry s McClelland

August 11, 2024

Walked with Julie through the Cancer rehab center...She Was A friend... Fond Memories of here Joy to be Published...Thrilled to have known and enjoyed her poetry..K.s.M.

Marcia Rutan

August 22, 2020

I'm so sorry to belatedly hear of Julie's death. When I visited Palmer, my childhood home, in 2018 I selected her poetry book at the local bookstore and both my husband and I were deeply touched by Julie's poems. I was tickled to find out she was the mother of Eowyn whom I'd met in Seattle bookstores a couple of times, due to our Palmer connection. (My father Bert Rutan had been minister at the Protestant church during the 1950's.) I'm sorry to be unable to tell Julie directly how much her poetry affected us, and am deeply grateful for her grace and authenticity in the work she shared. My condolences and warm greetings to Ivey and Sam. I've lost my mother and know healing takes a long time. Love keeps pouring through and will be the final joy.

April 7, 2019

My deepest condolences to your family for the loss of your love one. May your cherished memories created, brighten your days and help sustain you at this time. John 6:40 gives much comfort by looking forward to Jesus promise of seeing your love one again

Shelia

April 6, 2019

My condolences to your family for your loss. May God bring you comfort during this difficult time. Romans 15:12

April 6, 2019

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. May you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Psalms 119:76

April 5, 2019

I would just like to share my deepest of condolences for your loss. I wish I had the perfect words or the perfect formula to help with grief. But unfortunately I don't and I'm not sure they exist. I do know that the scriptures have helped me immensely during my times of grief. Especially ones like the one in Ec. 9:5 that talks about how the dead can't suffer anymore once their dead. And there are other scriptures to reassure us our dead ones are in God's memory and he will show compassion towards them (Malachi 3:16-18). But as for us, we keep our loved ones alive in our own memories and take life on day at a time. All my best.

Ron Stadelmaier

April 5, 2019

I am so saddened and shocked to hear of Julie's passing.

I'm just an old schoolmate of Julie's from Orchard Park, NY (from grade school thru high school).

Such a beautiful smile indeed.

My deepest sympathies and hopes of peace to all her family and friends.

April 5, 2019

I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort from the loving promise of seeing our dear loved ones again (1Thessalonians 4:13,14). Please accept my deepest sympathies.

M C

April 4, 2019

I am truly and deeply sorry for your Loss. My warmest condolences go out to the family and friends of Julie. May the God of all comport Grant you peace and strength during difficult time (psalm 91:11).

Cr P

April 4, 2019

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

April 4, 2019

I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn," strengthen you during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1, 2.

April 4, 2019

I'm so sorry for your loss. May prayer comfort you in this time of grief. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 "pray constantly"

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