Julie LeMAY

LeMAY - Julie (nee Hungiville)

Poet and former Buffalo resident, passed away at home in Alaska on March 30, 2019. She was 64 years old. A Memorial Service will be in June in Alaska. Julie was born April 13, 1954, in Buffalo, NY to James and Michele Hungiville. As a child, she was an avid reader and adventurous spirit. Upon graduating from Orchard Park High School, at the age of 17, she moved to Colorado with her brother and friends. In 1977, she moved to Alaska. Julie worked for more than 25 years as an accountant. Shortly after retirement, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In the seven years since her diagnosis, Julie earned her Master of Fine Arts in poetry, published her book "The Echo of Ice Letting Go" and had her poems appear in magazines in the U.S., Ireland and England. She also volunteered in Tibet, traveled to Europe, saw her granddaughter sing in Montreal, visited her parents in Buffalo and hiked in the mountains of Alaska. She was described as a graceful light in the world, a remarkable poet and someone who had known sadness but endeavored to bring joy into 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; son Forrest LeMay; daughter Eowyn Ivey; son-in-law Sam Ivey; and granddaughters Grace and Aurora Ivey. She was preceded in death by brother Michael Hungiville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local library or to Jatson Chumig School at jatsontibet.org