Julie Dee Pauli

Julie Dee Pauli, age 74, of DeWitt, died peacefully at home on February 25, 2025, surrounded by her family after a battle with cancer, diagnosed in October 2024.
Julie was born on July 27, 1950, in Tacoma, Washington, as one of six children to Jack and Georgia (Smith) Keller. Her family moved to Michigan in the mid-1950s, where she later graduated from Forest Hills High School in Grand Rapids. In 1973, she met Frank Pauli in Denver, and they were married on June 19, 1976. The couple settled in Grand Rapids before relocating to St. Johns in 1984, where they founded Pauli Ford with help from her father, a Ford dealer.
Julie enjoyed a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist, medical assistant at the Clinton County Medical Center for many years and volunteered in the NICU at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was a passionate dog lover, especially fond of her Boxer, Jackson and black lab, Thunder, a certified therapy dog. Julie and Thunder brought comfort to others, visiting those in need of support.
Julie cherished time spent with family, particularly at their cottage on Douglas Lake in Petoskey, and many family vacations through the years, that included a special trip to Costa Rica with Frank and her sister, Paula and her husband Skip last year. She delighted in buying new toys and spending time with her grandchildren, who fondly called her "JuJu." Julie was known for her spontaneous, carefree nature and loved creating fun memories with them. A coffee connoisseur, she had a special love for Starbucks specialty drinks and enjoyed coffee dates with her sisters.
Julie will be remembered as a patient, calm, and outgoing woman who was loved by everyone who met her. She will be dearly missed.
In addition to Frank, her beloved husband of over forty-eight years, she leaves her sons, Brett (Carolyn) Pauli, Brian (Jamie) Pauli, and Jonathan (Molly) Pauli; grandchildren, Liam, Jack, Allie, Owen, Lucy, Claire, Brooke, and Dean; sisters, Paula (Skip) Swanson, Laura (Michael) Dupey, Emily (Ted) Garneau, Jackie Keller; brother, Rob (Bev) Keller; in-laws, Carolyn Nieuwkoop, Janet Bickner, Maureen Olivera, Mary Jo Pauli, John (Sharon) Pauli, Steve (Susan) Pauli, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Georgia Keller.
A Memorial Service will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Saturday, March 1, at 2PM. Friends and family may visit from 11AM until the time of service. Click here to view a livestream of Saturday's service
Memorials may be made in her name to Buddy's PALS, PO Box 70, DeWitt, MI
For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422.