Obituary of Ellen Juliana Trip

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Ellen Juliana Trip (Julie) on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Grand River Hospital, Kitchener.

Julie was born in 1938 in Kitchener to Ellen and Alfred Upton.  She had a happy childhood and from an early age was creative, mounting elaborate puppet shows for the neighbourhood and beyond.  Julie loved the theatre and attended the first performances of the Stratford Festival held in a tent.  With family excursions to the woods she developed a reverence for nature, identifying birds and wildflowers with her mother, and learning the joy of photography with her father.  She excelled at creative writing and was a voracious reader. Starting in 1961 and for thirty-three years she shared her love of English literature while teaching at high schools in Kitchener, Ottawa, Toronto and Burlington.  In 1994, a number of students attended her retirement party to pay tribute to their special teacher.

Julie had taken early retirement to care for her dying father and moved into the family home where she enjoyed creating beautiful, extensive gardens and doting on her beloved canine companions.  She was able to continue her love of travel and combined with her photographic skills created masterful travelogues.  Of all the countries she visited, the Arctic captured her heart. In 2016 Julie had a catastrophic stroke and spent the next eight years in long term care. The walls of her room displayed many of her beautiful photos of the North. For many years Julie was an active member of the Highland Glen Camera Club, Probus Women’s Club and the Field Naturalists.

We are thankful for the loving support of the many staff members at the Village of University Gates Long Term Care, especially Wendy Miller, Director of Nursing, Melissa Jessop, Music Therapist, and Janessa Mostert, and for the exceptional caregivers of Johnston Neighbourhood.  A special thank you to Kelly Stanners who was Julie’s devoted caregiver for the past nine months and to her neighbour John for keeping the birds at her window.  Valued support and friendship was received from Brynn and Gretta of Pathways Therapy, and Laura Davey RMT and Julie Pallot RMT.  The compassion of the staff of 5D South at the Grand River Hospital during Julie’s last days was very much appreciated.

Julie was deeply loved by her sister and best friend Elizabeth Upton (Tony Miller).  She was treasured by her nephew Mark Yates (Tania Sacchetti) of Squamish, B.C., nieces Laura Yates of Collingwood and Hilary Gibbons (Jamie), of Barrie, and she was surrounded with our love throughout the five days of her passing. Also left to mourn are her grand nieces and nephews Nave Sacchetti, Anna Gibbons, Galen Yates, Jay and Noah Gibbons, and Traeh Yates.  She will be missed by her extended family Steve, Alexandra and Ailsa Miller, by her many friends and by all who had the privilege to know her.

Our dear Julie had a sharp wit, a passion for nature, was courageous in the face of adversity, immensely generous, loyal, supportive and loving.  Although we mourn her passing, we are grateful to have been part of her life.

A Celebration of Julie’s exceptional life will take place at Erb & Good Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, June 5^th at 2 p.m.  As per Julie’s wishes, donations in her memory to The World Wildlife Fund or Hospice of Waterloo Region would be appreciated and may be arranged through www.erbgood.com.