It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Julia St John. She was born on May 16,
1929 in Los Lunas, New Mexico, the second child of Cliserio Padilla and Emilia Tafoya Padilla.
She had nine siblings. They were a loving family.
She is survived by three daughters, Emma Keller, Rhonda Saia, and Caroline St John; seven
grandchildren, Brandilee Magnum, Tina Seymore, Amy Mac Kinnon, Erik Saia, Cody Keller,
Dylan Saia, and Travis Frank; and to date, nine great-grandchildren, Jessey, Steven, Gavin,
Aiden, Preston, Ada, Athena, Hayley, and Grant.
For many years her home in Fremont was a center of love and laughter for friends and
neighbors. She overcame many trials in life: cancer, illness, and enough surgeries to earn more
than a few comparisons to The Bionic Woman. Yet her perseverance is the true mark of her
character, as she supported her family in any way that she could. Any opportunity to see her
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was eagerly taken.
Julie provided shelter to those who needed it. She took in a foster child from the neighborhood,
and any child or grandchild who was knocked down by life, she was there to catch them.
She spent the last ten years of her life at the New Hope Convalescent Home. She was a devout
Catholic and a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Everyone who knew her later
in life, related or not, called her “Grandma Julie.”
We lament the passage of a woman who was completely devoted to her family, and would do
anything for them. We are infinitely fortunate to have had that love in our lives.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, a public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Julia M. St. John, please visit our floral store.