Julianne Birch Thompson

Julie Thompson of Virginia Beach, VA died in her home on October 20, 2025 after an extended illness, surrounded and supported by her loving family. Julie was born the third of six children to Gardner Birch and Grace (Jones) Birch on March 11, 1942, in Sharon PA. She graduated from Hickory High School, and Kent State University.
As the wife of a Navy pilot, Julie and her family led a life of travel and adventure during multiple deployments across the US, until finally settling in Virginia Beach in 1982. Julie was first a public-school teacher, and then transitioned to run a successful business as a local artist, specializing in clay folk art. For several decades Julie regularly participated in shows throughout Tidewater, the Peninsula, and other locations in Virginia. In her later years, Julie volunteered in the classrooms of her grandsons, took in countless youth baseball games, and kept the family well-fed with her renowned cookies and pies.
Throughout her life, Julie was known for being supremely creative, throwing a good party, and decorating to make all of the holidays special. In every city where the family lived, Julie found the places and events that made it unique, and got the family out for fun and adventure.
Julie is survived by her sisters Virginia Hall and Jane Birch, her brothers Gardner and Jim Birch, her daughters Mandy Nicholson and Abby Meeks, and her grandsons Shafer and Gardner Meeks; in addition to beloved extended family members and friends.
A celebration of life will take place at Hollomon-Brown Lynnhaven Chapel on Saturday November 1st at 12pm, and Julie will be laid to rest at Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery. Julie was a dearly loved mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor; her memory will be cherished by those who hold her close in their heart.