Julie Schadlich

1942 - 2021

Julie Craig Schadlich

Julie Ann Craig (Blunden) Schadlich was born in Alameda, CA to Nancy (Sherman) and Homer Theodore Craig, Jr. on Nov 2, 1942 and lost her brave battle with cancer on September 17, 2021. She was close to her two older brothers, Homer Theodore III (Ted) and Rodney Sherman, through all of their years together. Julie cherished her memories of her childhood, of spending summers at the Encinal Yacht Club and riding bikes around their Dayton Avenue neighborhood.
Universally, when people speak of Julie, her beautiful smile is the first thing they mention. That smile could light up the room, your heart, the world. Her love of family and tradition, her delight in being a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, wife, daughter and friend, were all captured in every one of those brilliant smiles. She was shiny, flirty and charming. People were drawn to her, as if they knew just being with her would leave them happier.
Julie was a cheerleader at both Alameda High School and the University of the Pacific, where she also enjoyed being a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She treasured all of the life-long friendships she collected from her childhood and college years.
She married fellow Alamedian, Anthony (Tony) Blunden in 1964 and had three daughters, Amy Nancy (Blunden) Ruegg, Ann Marjorie (Blunden) Huchingson and Molly Larcom Blunden, who were the light of her life. Their family life was filled with trips to the mountains, to the beach, and in building deep ties in the Lafayette community. Amy married Steve Ruegg and brought Julie the joy of grandchildren Kyra, Matthew and Scott, and Ann's marriage to Jim Huchingson added the gifts of Henry, Brady and Andrew to the family. One of Julie's truly great pleasures was being present in all of her grandchildrens' lives.
Julie married Stephen Schadlich in 1988 and was delighted to merge her close family with his. She adored Scott, Chris, Daisy and Pete Schadlich; Betsy, John, Madelyn and James Murray; and Caroline, Hannah, Jack and Max Stone. The many shared vacations, holidays, wedding, birthdays and general family events enriched and enlivened her life.
Beloved family also important to her are all of the extended Blunden, Craig, Manseau, Sherman, Ruegg, Huchingson, and Kinney relatives and all of their families.
Julie was so proud of her Sherman heritage, proud to be a dance teacher (P.E. Major!), an educator, a lifeguard, a volunteer, a coach, a stay-at-home mom, and a therapist. Her work as a counsellor provided deep meaning in her life. She truly loved more than anything to talk to people and to listen, to help and to offer advice. She was honored by the enduring loyalty of her amazing friends and clients. She was spiritual. She was inspired by the magic of the world around her, by the earth and nature, by God and in knowing there was something bigger than herself in which to trust.
Julie loved: dancing, country music, the smell of sugar pines, gardens, Christmas, cheeseburgers, golden retrievers, interior decorating, chatting on the phone, knitting, Hafner Chardonnay, golfing, horses, making her rice pilaf and Thanksgiving stuffing, giving gifts, singing, throw pillows, Capri pants, iced tea, being "in the mix", catalogs, sunbathing, writing notes on the backs of envelopes, craft projects, giving advice, floating on a raft in the lake, being surrounded by her family and friends, Pinecrest, Alameda, Hawaii and home.
Some things Julie never did: wear her hair long, forget a birthday, go minimalist on holiday décor, stick to a budget, leave things unsaid, cook a complicated meal, let a conversation happen near her without wanting to be in the "know", stop making plans or having big ideas, or leave any doubt that if you were loved by her, you were so very lucky.
A celebration of Julie's life will be held on Friday, October 8th at 2pm at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Plant-A-Tree Program, USDA Forest Service, 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370.