Obituary of Julia Mary Pickul

Palmer/West Brookfield– Julia M. (Sarna) Pickul, 103, passed away on July 9th at Quaboag on the Common in West Brookfield. Ironically, July 9th was the 28th anniversary of her husband Paul P. Pickul’s death.

Born in Palmer on March 28, 1919, she was the daughter of John and Magdalena (Dobrowolska) Sarna. Julia grew up in Palmer where she lived most of her life before moving to Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care in 2013.

Julia married the love of her life, Paul P. Pickul on May 17, 1947 and they spent many years enjoying each other’s company, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Julia worked at the William Wright Company in Warren for over 50 years before her retirement. She was especially proud of the work she did there making parachutes to support the war effort.

Julia loved to sew and knit and was known to teach her craft to young students at the Senior Center in West Warren where she was active. She also loved to bake goodies for family and friends with her carrot cake and pumpkin muffins being her favorite things to distribute. She was a big believer in remaining active and could be seen walking nearly every morning as well as working out a the former Aerobic’s Asylum in Palmer. In fact, even after moving to Quaboag, she remained active participating in exercise classes and making her way around the hallways to stay strong.

Julia was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church where she also volunteered her time. She also spent many hours volunteering at the Food Share in Palmer with her husband Paul.

Julia was predeceased by her husband Paul on July 9, 1993. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews; Edward and Jean Bubon, of Bondsville, Karen and Donald Jasmin of Westford, Susan and Donald Leiskau of Wilmington, and James and Paula Fortuna of S. Hampton, NH., and Patricia Purda of Arizona. She is also survived by her very special friends, Kevin and Patti Leecock and their sons Ryan and Scott.

Besides her parents and husband, Julia was predeceased by her siblings, Adele A. Bubon, Jennie Cavanaugh, Barbara Fortuna, Mary Zajac, and Frank and Joseph Sarna.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care for the loving care they have provided Julia, especially during Covid when family could not visit. An extra special thank you goes to one of her care givers, Naomi or as Julia would call her “Wyomi” for loving care you always provided. You have gone above and beyond and it was not un-noticed. A calling hour will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022 from 9:30-10:30am with a Funeral Mass to be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 11:00am. Burial will immediately follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, make any memorial donations to Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Activities Fund.