JULIA L. KIDD

Julia Lee Kidd passed away on June 4, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., after a long illness and hospitalization. She was 71.

She was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Matoaca, Va. We will miss her sparkling eyes, jokes and gentle heart. She was a lover of children and dogs.

Julia loved life and family. She volunteered her free time supporting the Cub Scouts and Webelos. After a divorce, and as a young adult, she became a federal civil servant and worked at Fort Lee, Va. She moved to Sierra Vista, Ariz., in 1978 to work at the U.S. Army Communication's Command in Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

She fell in love with the Southwest, its lore, mountains and canyons. She saw it all in her red 4-wheel Jeep. Julia spent many years coaching the Pony Tail Girls' Softball teams and was able to take them to the National games. Later in her career, she worked for the U.S. Army in Germany and made wonderful friends over lots of beer and schnitzel. Julia returned to Virginia to be close to her mother. After her mother died, she returned to her beloved Southwest and spent the rest of her days in retirement. She had three antique shops over the years and enjoyed finding and selling treasures.

Julia was a creative and skilled stained glass artist. She had her own studio and today has glass creations all over the world. She was also an accomplished woodworker and did shows at Arts-in-the Park and craft shows in Sierra Vista, Ariz., Germany and the East Coast. She moved to Green Valley, Ariz., six years ago because the elevation in Sierra Vista made it difficult for her to breathe. She rarely missed a Diamondback Baseball game.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Collies Everett and Maude Kidd.

She is survived by siblings, Patricia Ann Adams (Kermit) of Florida, Collies E. Kidd III (Pat) of Virginia and Jean Cenac of Arizona. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held in Matoaca, Va. Julia would probably love any donations to your local animal shelter or St. Jude Children's Hospital.