Julia Ann "Julie" Kealey

Julia Ann Kealey, age 61, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Partners in Care Hospice House on September 30, 2025.

Julie was born on September 10, 1964 to John and Janet in Santa Cruz, CA, where she grew up. Julie went to Aptos High School, where she played clarinet and was employed by the California Youth Conservation Corps, first as a crew member, then as a leader. In 1981, she met her best friend and spouse, Tom, in the regional occupational program at Soquel High School, where they would travel from

Aptos for the forestry program. Their first official date was to the San Lorenzo River in the Santa Cruz mountains near Felton. Once Julie graduated, she and Tom took a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula. Though they had little money, they spent two magical months in the small town of Akumal, an hour south of Cancún

to where they would hitchhike once a week for supplies.

When Tom and Julie got back from Mexico, they rented a small converted garage studio apartment in La

Selva Beach. During this time, Julie worked for state parks while Tom had a cooking job. Before moving to Bend, Julie and Tom spent a lot of time traveling around the Santa Cruz area in Janet's Volkswagen Rabbit, especially at archery courses, the beach, and the redwoods. Julie fell in love with Bend and ended up bringing most of her family with her when she moved.

Julie is well-loved and respected at St. Charles Hospital, where she will be missed dearly after spending thirty-two years as a Registered Health Information Technologist in the Utilization Review department. She is known to many for being a caring mother of two sons, a friend to all animals, and a beautiful woman inside and out. We will always remember her sense of humor, youthful energy, and unconditional love.

Julie's hobbies included kayaking, spending time in nature, and reading. She passed on her love of books and animals to her sons, Thomas and Nick. She is known for her practical jokes, her sweet tooth (especially for See's Candies), and ever-growing collection of Fahlo bracelets. She was fond of all things Disney and enjoyed spending time watching movies with loved ones.

Julie was preceded in death by her father, John Graham Stenovich.

Julie is survived by her sons, Thomas (Lindsey) and Nicholas (Angelyka); her husband, Tom; her mother, Janet; her sister, Jen (Tim); her brothers, Andrew and Curtis; her nephews, Neal (Shelby), Will (Myranda), and Sequoia; her niece, Liliquoi; and her cat, Daisy.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Julie in the near future; location, date and time to be determined.

Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home of Bend was honored to serve the family.