Julia Waterman Jay

1909 - 2018

1909-2018

Julia "Judy" Waterman Jay, age 108, passed away July 20, 2018 in Valencia, CA following a short illness. She was born October 16, 1909 in Vergennes, VT, to Vance W. Waterman MD and Mary Adelaide Riker Waterman.

At age 16 Julia moved to Burlington, VT to attend the University of Vermont, graduating in 1930. A brilliant student, she spoke 5 languages, was a violin soloist, a gifted writer, a member of the Greek honor society and the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Her goal was to become a doctor like her father, but she was told women should not be doctors. Following graduation she taught school for several years.

Julia married Orson W. Jay in 1933 and they had 3 children. She remained active for many years as an alumna in Tri-Delta, as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a descendent of the Mayflower Pact. She attended St Paul's Cathedral.

Julia was a survivor of the Great Flu Epidemic of 1918 which killed 100 million people worldwide. Her very strong constitution was no doubt due in part to her love of life and her very gentle and pacific nature. Having witnessed the great events of the 20th Century, what stood out most in her mind was at the age of 11 going with her mother the first time women could vote in 1920. Julia, like her suffragette grandmother before her, was a strong supporter of women's rights. Although she had been a lifelong Republican, she left the party in 2008 to vote for Hillary Clinton in the then closed California primary. When Hillary did not get the nomination, Julia was asked if she would still remain a Democrat and support Barack Obama for President; she replied "Of course!"

Julia lived the majority of her life in Burlington, VT, moving to California in 1989 to be near family members. She traveled back many summers to Long Point in North Ferrisburgh, VT, the last time when she was 103. For the past 10 years she attended the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, of which she was very fond.

She is survived by her daughter Julia Jay George and son-in-law James George, with whom she had lived for many years; grandchildren: Jennifer Cordon, Jeffrey Jay and Joshua Jay Buker; 5 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Barbara Jay; nieces Janet Hopper and Carol Hislop; many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Orson (died 1973), her son, William Jay (died 2015) and her daughter, Patricia Jay Buker (died 1990). A tremendous lover of animals, Julia also will be missed by Ted the German Shepherd, Katrina the cat and Tux the cat.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, August 18, 2018 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Rd, Valencia, CA 91355. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LA Animal Care Foundation (lacountyanimals.org) or SPCALA (spcaLA.com).

The Signal, July 28, 2018
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