Julia Paige Scanlon (Jewel), age 33, loving aunt to Norah, passed away unexpectedly on October 24, 2020 after an illness. She was born in Rochester, attended Rush-Henrietta HS and RIT, and graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Brockport with her RN BSN.  Recently she began her career as a nurse at Strong Memorial which she loved.  Before that, she worked as a patient care tech at Highland where she completed a certificate program in geriatrics. She enjoyed working with the elderly and they often called her an “angel” because of her kindness.  She took wonderful care of her Grandma Corky and could brighten up her spirits when no one else could. She was very good with animals and enjoyed working part-time at a veterinarian’s office during high school and after graduation, she made a lot of friends there. She was also an exceptional writer; when speaking she was simultaneously articulate and compassionate.

She so loved children, and was a full and part-time nanny. Sometimes she was called “the baby whisperer” for her skill in caring for and comforting babies. She was “Aunt Ju Ju” to a family and their 3 children Mikey, Kaitlin, and Jake.  Jewel spent a lot of time with Jake while his siblings were in school and they developed a very close bond. I know he holds an extra special place in her heart. Their mom, Kim, became Jewel’s close friend. Kim says Jake still asks every night before bed when Aunt Ju Ju is coming for a visit.

Julia loved spending time with her niece Norah, just 2, who recently learned to say Aunt Ju Ju. Julia would take her for long wagon rides in the neighborhood then back to the water table. Just recently, she was celebrating Halloween at Wickham Farms with Norah, her brother and sister-in-law and her mom. She didn’t like the scary stuff at Halloween and when asked by a friend, she said “I’m more of a pumpkin girl, I just like the pumpkins”.

Julia loved serious documentaries and on the flip side, reality shows like Below Deck, and had worked at memorizing the song Hamilton after seeing the play, and would practice singing it at random moments and in the car. The Shawshank Redemption was her favorite movie.

She loved animals: dogs, cats, pigs, goats, horses and her pet donkey, Latte, also enjoyed riding horses, and caring for them.  She had her first horse Beau Rhita and second Cali at a dressage barn as a girl through young adulthood. She had a wonderful barn family and would spend most of her free time there and they still remain as close friends. It brought Julia joy to help take care of the 2 new rescue horses that arrived at our home the beginning of May this year and watch their progress, putting on weight, getting shiny coats once again, gaining trust and becoming affectionate, and happily grazing together in their pasture.

She was obsessed with funny TikTok videos and recently had replied with a funny comment to a posted video, as the likes/replies climbed to over 3,000 people she started telling people that from now on she would be traveling with an entourage and no one will be able to contact her directly but must go through them.

Closeness of family and friends were very important to her and she had always wished for an even larger extended family. She had wonderful memories of her trip to Ireland with her brother, Eamonn, some years ago and had always wanted to go out west to Montana and ride horses in the mountains. She was very close to her mom and loved joining in the family traditions at holidays. Was the first to offer to help. She was also very close to her Dad and enjoyed meeting him for coffee and catching up. She would ride along with the rescue dogs to keep them calm while her Dad and step-mom Jo would drive them to their next pick up location. She loved spending time with her cousins from SC and often said she wished they lived closer.

Her bright light will be sorely missed but her memory will live on in all those hearts she touched with her kindness and gentle spirit.

Julia is locally survived by her loving parents, Sandra Plumb (Frank Dutko) and Patrick Scanlon (Joanne); brother, Eamonn Scanlon (Susie); cousin Brady Fletcher (Sarah) and their son Casey; step-siblings Jon (Michelle), Aimee (Sean), and Kyle; step-nephews Jackson and Harry; and many loving family members out of state.

And although her body is gone she will continue to live on in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, some possible donation ideas below, but any donation in her honor to something you  are passionate about she would love.

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation  Click HERE to Donate

Begin Again Horse Rescue: Click HERE to Donate (donate button in upper rt corner of webpage).

Horse Angels Rescue (paypal Horseangelsrescue2@gmail.com) Penny is wonderful, she quarantined/cared for/delivered our 2 personal rescues this past May.

Any Dog or Animal Rescue….

Memorial Service Information:

Friends and family are welcome to call between the hours of 3:00 & 7:00pm on Friday, November 6, 2020 at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. 

Due to the current restrictions, the Funeral Service will be private. However, you can view a recording of Julia’s Memorial Service by clicking HERE.

“Treasure your children for who they are….”