Julianne Wayne

Julianne Wayne, 81, of Avon, CT, died on October 12, 2021, due to the impact of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Julianne was born to immigrant parents with eighth-grade educations and made her family proud when she was recognized by the Mayor Of New York City for being in the top one percent of New York City high school graduates and being named a Regent's Scholar. She left her home in Brooklyn at age 16 to attend Cornell University. After graduating Cornell, she moved to Boston to earn her MSW at Boston University, eventually to be followed by an Ed.D. at Clark University. She taught social work for 25 years each at Boston University and then at UConn. A leader in the profession, she co-authored two books, many articles, including a seminal piece on field education, and helped to launch the social work profession in Armenia. She won awards for her writing, her teaching, and her lifetime contributions to the profession. While in the Boston area she met her wonderfully smart, nurturing, and forward-thinking husband of 56 years, Murray Wayne. Together they stood up for what was right, cared for people and cats who were fortunate enough to cross their path, and raised a daughter, Raymie Wayne, who became the center of their worlds. Their love and pride for Raymie was matched only by their love and pride for their grandson, Chase. The true essence of Julianne, however, was her combined gifts of humor, sensitivity, and an innate ability to know people. Her signature was her dinner parties where friends would come and laugh for hours, sometimes begging her to retell embellished stories that became funnier and more ridiculous with each iteration. The truth was no obstacle to humor. Julianne's gift of understanding people resulted in her introducing three couples who eventually married. Julianne's feisty playfulness led her to a comedic routine with the telemarketers that caused them to remove her from their lists! A favorite memory of her grandson's is Friday night comedies with Mama (Julianne) and Mom (Raymie), the three of them snuggled into a two-person loveseat. Julianne left behind many people whom she loved and loved her greatly. In addition to Raymie and Chase, her nieces and their spouses: Stephanie and Phoebe and Sheri and Bob, and her lifelong friends: Joan and Joe Nyman and their family, are all mourning the loss of this kind, intuitive, smart, funny, and irreverent woman. It is impossible to name all who appreciated Julianne, though Lenny, Caroline, Dawn, Archie, Elaine and countless social workers across the US and abroad are missing her and her optimistic, cheerful outlook. Julianne had an amazing green thumb and shared her love and nurturing with a household full of plants. To have a piece of Julianne in your home by continuing to love and nurture one of her plants, please contact Raymie. A life celebration will be held at the end of May, in honor of Julianne and Murray. Please contact Raymie to receive follow up details in the spring.