Julia Sholette

Julia “Judy” Sholette
June 30 - 1930 February 9, 2025

Our Mother, Julia "Judy" Helen Sholette (nee Kennedy) died at age 94 on the afternoon of February 9th, 2025. She was the wife of Carol “Jake” Sholette (1923-2007), himself the eldest son of a large, Quebecois-American family from Upstate New York and later Philadelphia, which is where they married in 1952. Born in Philadelphia in 1930, Julia was the youngest daughter of John Joseph Kennedy (1893-1981) and Agnes Barnes Kennedy (1898-1984), and she was the last surviving child of seven siblings: John "Buddy" Kennedy (1921-1998), Agnes Miller (1923-2017), Mary Smith-Steinbruck (1925-2015) Kathryn "Cass" Kucinskas (1926-2015), Anne Reynolds Orem (1928-2014) and Thomas Aloysius Kennedy (1934-2016).

Julia is survived by her three remaining children: Gregory Gerard Sholette married to Olga Kopenkina; William Paul Sholette married to the late Annette Sholette (1955-2017); Lisa Marie Lewandowski married to Al Lewandowski; and the late Patrick Gerard Sholette (1958-2010), who was married to the late Sharon Ann Fume Sholette (1957-2024). Julia’s grandchildren are Ariana Koenig Sholette, Sarah Turock, William Sholette, Rachel Lewandowski, David Lewandowski, Matt Lewandowski, Nicole Koder-Wilson and Eric Koder. Her great grandchildren are Taylor Wilson, Sydney Wilson, and Jake Wilson, her great grandchild is Aurelia Turock and great, great, grandchild is Alaia Wilson. She was also a dog lover, with a lifelong parade of canine companions since her childhood including Smitty, Buttons, Snoopy, Jackpot, Poofta, Bobby Blue, and finally Snuggles, the last who survives her and is now in the generous care of Ms. Donna Murray-Boyer.

A lifelong, faithful Catholic, Julia regularly attended mass at St. Christopher’s in Philadelphia, and later at St. Bede’s in Churchville, PA. She received last rites on February 8th, 2025 while hospitalized at St. Mary’s in Newtown, PA. A devoted gardener, and an occasional slot-machine-winning gambler, Julia lived a long and rich life, first in Northeast Philadelphia, and then for many years in Feasterville, PA. When the children moved out, she and Carol relocated several times including to Ocean City, and finally to Holland, PA. Her family was central to her always, and she often spoke fondly of the early years she spent with her sisters and brothers near Fairmount Park. On two occasions she visited Ireland, once with Carol, and once with her sister Anne, returning with many stories of her travels to everyone’s delight.

While living on Orchard Lane in Feasterville, PA, Julia lovingly raised her four children, packed lunches with care, and sent the children off to St. At Christopher's grammar school. She also found time to plant and tend several verdant patches of vegetables and flowers in the family’s backyard, while surrounding the house with rock gardens filled with succulents, spring flowers, and ivy groundcover. Her favorite flower was the purple Iris, or what she sometimes called a flag, and her interest in the natural world extended to teaching the art of gardening to her children, encouraging them to carefully observe, understand, and respect our shared environment. Together with Carol, Julia organized summer evening “moon parties” where neighbors could drop by for barbecue and a chance to peer through a telescope to view the moon, planets, and stars. And towards Christmas time she spent hours making colorful, nylon-mesh tree decorations to give to the church and friends. Julia always took life on fully and joyfully.

We mourn the loss of our Mom, of Julia to some, and Aunt Judy to others. She was the last of her generation of Northeast Philly Kennedys, all seven of whom were born before the start of the Second World War. She leaves behind her a treasure-trove of memories, as well as a warm and enduring impression for all those who knew and loved her. A favorite expression of hers that she learned from her mother Anna was, “do your best and leave the rest, angels can do no more.” To that we can only say, Indeed and Amen. Dearest Mother, may the Irish hills caress you, may her lakes and rivers bless you, Suaimhneas síoraí duit a mháthair, which in Irish translates as eternal peace to you, Mother.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Friday February 21st 10:00 AM at the Malloy Funeral Home 625 Byberry Rd. Phila., PA 19116. Funeral Service 11:00 AM. Interment Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.