Julia M. Mackintosh

Julia M, Mackintosh
November 29, 1924 - August 24, 2013
Raleigh
Julia Murray Mackintosh, 88, died peacefully August 24, 2013 in Raleigh, NC, surrounded by her family. Julia grew up in New York City and Garrison, NY. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College, and earned a Master's degree in Architecture from Harvard University. Julia and Robert, her husband of 60 years, raised their three daughters in Grenada, West Indies, with summers in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. In Grenada, Julia helped found the Westmorland School and taught biology, science, music, French, and math – there and at the Anglican High School. She particularly loved teaching biology, and was honored to hear from former students who credited her with sparking their lifelong interest in science.
On moving to Aiken, SC in 1975, Julia and Robert founded Woodlanders Nursery, a mail-order nursery that gained international recognition as one of the first to focus on the diversity of plants that thrive in the Southeastern US.
Julia and Robert 'retired' to Raleigh, NC in 1997, purchasing a house surrounded by a native plants garden (the Margaret Reid Wild Flower Garden). In retirement Julia pursued her interests in painting, natural science, conservation, gardening, walking in the woods, travel, and activities with daughters' families. She painted at Sertoma Art Center, the Fine Arts League of Cary, and the Cape Ann Artists Guild. Active members of conservation and gardening organizations, Julia and Robert shared their knowledge and love of plants with many. Julia volunteered with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and with Robert taught an Encore class on local wild flowers. She lured many of her friends from her art and other interest circles to enjoy and volunteer at the Reid Garden.
Julia considered her family her greatest accomplishment in life. She is survived by her husband, Robert Mackintosh of Raleigh; her daughters, Amy Mackintosh (Thomas Kagan); Louisa Mackintosh (Tony Ciaramitaro); and Susan Mackintosh (Luuk V. Van Zanten); her brother, Michael Murray (Eliane); and grandchildren, Julia and Carmen V. Van Zanten, Ian and Luke Henneberger, and Lucy and Triona Kagan.
A memorial service will be held at the Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh on September 14th at 2 pm followed by a reception. Her ashes will be buried in Manchester-by-the-Sea at a later date.
Condolences may be shared at the Cremation Society of the Carolinas website http://www.cremnc.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1070802