Julia Riley
August 27, 1953 - June 25, 2020
Obituary
MADISON - Julia Bledsoe Riley, age 66, of Madison, took her own life on Thursday, June 25, 2020. She had been suffering from chronic illnesses for many years, with escalating pain. She was born on Aug. 27, 1953, in Compton, Calif., the daughter of Lloyd Bledsoe and Marjorie (Trebil) Bledsoe. Julia was beloved by a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues who will miss her dearly.
Julia graduated from Cornell University and served the public for many years at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, where she helped communities across Wisconsin protect the quality of their water. Julia was a devoted Girl Scout Leader, Qigong Master, and intrepid world traveler. Julia was deeply spiritual and had a strong affinity for nature and the outdoors. She especially enjoyed spending time in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Julia is survived by her daughter, Hannah Riley (Aneidys) Reyes; grandson, Aramis Reyes; brother-in-law Vince Dutcher; nephew Cole Dutcher; and former husband, David Riley (Colette Sisco). She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Bledsoe; mother, Marjorie Bledsoe; brother, Stanley Bledsoe; sister, Linda Dutcher; and beloved dog Lettie.
An online memorial will be held on Friday, July 3, 2020, at 1 p.m. CDT via a Zoom link. If you are still having technical difficulties after reviewing instructions, you may contact Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care at (608) 221-5420 to be referred for technical assistance.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider making a donation in Julia’s memory to the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton, Wis., or an organization of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
E
Erin
Other •
I remember her smile, her laugh. I remember her sitting at her sewing machine in the Crestwood house. She showed me how sewing different patterns worked. How to make the stitching look fancy. I remember thinking how fancy her sewing machine was. She sewed Riley and I matching 4th of July shirts for the Crestwood 4th of July Parade. I was so proud of that shirt! I still have it. I remember Riley and I using every single fruit in the house to make, what is most like the most disgusting smoothy anyone will ever taste, in an attempt to replicate one of Julia’s. She was not even angry, she just smiled. I remember our mother/daughter dates, APT, food, and conversations. Julia, thank you for being like a second mom to me growing up, thank you for watching over me, putting up with my often loud ways, and including me in countless family meals. You are loved and will be missed. Rest In Peace.
JR
Jayney Reuter
Other •
Julia was like a mom to me too. Julia taught me that every day is different and having a bad day one day did not mean the next day would be bad as well. She took me along to her and Riley's first Ani DiFranco concert! Julia went with me to find a wedding dress at a vintage clothing shop west of Madison and altered my wedding dress for me and gave me a lovely scarf/shawl to wear on my wedding day. I think of her every Christmas because our tree topper is a homemade angel ornament that she and Riley made from bay leaves, cloth, cinnamon sticks. My heart is breaking that she was in such pain she decided to leave this life behind, that her grandbaby won't grow up knowing her, that I hadn't spoken with her in months... perhaps a year or more... Julia was a special combination of sensitive/intuitive, giving and FIERCE! I will miss her dearly.
MK
Mary Jo Kopecky
Other •
Riley, I am so very sorry. Julia is such a loss to our world. I worked with Julia for about 20 years. She was smart, she was dedicated, she knew how to work with people and communities. In her time at DNR, she worked with communities and as a result they made lasting improvements to the environment. She deserves all the credit for that. She was also a positive, joyful, spiritual person and it was so good to be in her presence. She cared about people, she cared about animals, she cared about the world around us and that came through in how she lived her life. She struggled with her condition for several decades. She fought valiantly and stayed upbeat for so very long. The last few years she joined our small group of women who worked/retired from DNR. She was always a bright light at our lunches. She told wonderful stories. Her love for Riley and her new grandson was so clear and obvious. She was so proud of Riley and what her daughter was doing. Julia had the most wonderful laugh. I will always remember that laugh - it personified Julia for me. Her spirituality told her that she would be in another universe and she is now. One where she will not have the pain she has endured for so very long. But she still has that laugh and she still cares about her daughter, grandson, family and friends. We were so lucky to have known and spent time with her in this life and know we will hear that laughter again when we meet her in the next universe.
DW
Dreux Watermolen
Other •
Julia was a wonderful friend and colleague. I have missed our shared bus rides to and from Middleton and our shared experiences at Pheasant Branch. Her smile was infectious. It saddens me that she suffered. I will never forget how very supportive she was as I went through chemotherapy. Her spirituality was inspiring and her presence reassuring.
AM
Amanda Minks
Other •
Julia was a kind and generous spirit. She always had a welcoming and loving way of making you feel accepted and appreciated and I learned a lot from her quite grace. My deepest condolences to her family as they grieve and reflect. I pray for comfort and calm in this difficult time.
GS
Greg Searle
Other •
Thank you, Julia, for enriching our lives with your spirit. You always had a smile for others and a kind and gentle nature that was inviting for all. And your laugh, what a laugh, an infectious laugh. I am smiling big now thinking about your laugh. You inspired me to look at the world in different ways, think about things from different perspectives, and reevaluate “walking in others’ shoes.” You made the world a better place Julia and for that we are eternally grateful. Rest easy, my friend, the trials and tribulations of this world are no more. We will forever carry you in our hearts and will meet again in a better place.