Julie Webster Reiff (Julie Fry Webster), 90 years old, passed away on August 1, 2023 in Portola Valley, CA, joining her beloved husband, siblings, parents and ancestors. She was a loving mother, wife, daughter and friend.
Julie was born on May 23rd, 1933, in Madison, Wisconsin, where she spent her childhood. The family settled in Moorestown, New Jersey, when she was a teenager. Julie graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts from Temple University, where her father was an English professor. She earned her Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin. Julie was a librarian at Germantown Friends School, her children's school, but spent most of her career as a children’s librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. It was here that she met the love of her life, her adored husband, Harry B. Reiff. They settled in West Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, where they raised their three children and remained joyfully married for over 50 years.
Julie will be remembered for her sweet, kind, welcoming nature and beautiful smile. Julie loved music; she played the violin and piano for many years and, at one point, sang in the choir with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Julie loved literature, reading to her grandchildren, art, “Mother Nature“ gardening, watching basketball, and traveling. She especially loved traveling to Europe with her family, often visiting with friends.
When her children lived at home, Julie enjoyed being a host family for children from El Salvador, Italy, France, East Africa, and Switzerland in the summer. Some of these children, along with their families, became lifelong friends. Julie dearly loved her family, and spending time with her children and grandchildren gave her tremendous joy. She was a devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren, who were equally devoted to her. Julie was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Julie is preceded in death by her husband, Harry B. Reiff, and her two brothers, David B. Webster and Guy H. Webster. She is survived by her three children, Johanna W. Cahan (Steven) of Asheville, North Carolina, and children Elizabeth and William; her daughter Victoria A. Sullivan (Don) of Boston, Massachusetts, and children Abby and Sophia; and by her son Philip W. Reiff (Julia) of San Francisco, California and children Ellie and Maggie. She is also survived by her nephews, Steve Webster, Pete Webster, Andrew Webster, Bob Reiff, Paul Reiff, and her niece Debbie Rieman.
Memorial services to celebrate Julie’s life will be held at The Sequoias in Portola Valley, California, on Saturday, October 7th, at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made by planting a memorial tree in a National Forest in memory of Julie. http://www.alivingtribute.org
