Julia Alice Minard

Julia Alice Minard, known by many as Judi, Jude, Alice, Lumber Jill, Nana, Mom, Sister, Daughter, and Friend, passed away at her home in Ajo on June 25, 2020 at the age of 73.
Julia was born March 29, 1947 in Muncie, Indiana to Don E. and Rosemary (née Younge) Minard. She graduated from Muncie High School and went on to study Fine Art Sculpture at Indiana University.
She married Marshall Huffman in Muncie in 1966. They divorced in 1988.
She loved to travel and lived in many places across the United States and in Italy. From Indiana, where she was born and raised, to Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Washington, Kentucky and finally Arizona. When she traveled, she noticed it all. "She always stopped to notice the little things, and she taught us to slow down in our adventures, look and listen. She could identify the birds and animals we saw and heard, and she would stop to take pictures of just about everything. Although, these were never just average pictures… they were images captured by a true artist, amplifying the vibrancy, beauty and power of even the subtlest things in nature and the world around us. She loved to travel so much that she lived on a sail boat, lived in an RV, and always held on tightly to her beloved kayaks (even though she lived in the desert!)" remembers her family. Julia moved to Ajo from Muncie in 2012.
Julia was an artist, photographer, started Small Beginnings LLC and Global1's. She was retired at the time of her passing. She was also a member of Net of Life, Council of the Grandmothers.
Just as varied were the names Julia was known as over the years, so were her hobbies and passions. She was also an avid potter, traveler, seamstress, crafter, doll maker, cook, cake baker, caretaker, cat and dog lover, reader, builder, kayaker, tennis player, skier, dress designer, class ring & Halloween costume designer, float builder, model, handywoman, high school Vice President and cheerleader. "She never did any of that half way… she did it all with passion, and she put her entire heart and soul into it. She was a lover of collecting rocks (I once made her carry 20lbs of rocks while riding a bike up hill), swiss army knives, hats, Altoid tins filled with treasures, the brochures, maps and walking stick emblems of every park she visited, as well as collecting barbed wire, bones and feathers. So many of these treasures were used in making her art."
Julia loved her daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law, parents, sister, brother and all her aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She showed her love by sewing them costumes and dresses, making dolls, creating pottery, and taking ever-lasting photographs.
"Julia made friends with everyone she met. She could talk for the entire car ride, telling you stories of her life, adventures and travels; although she would never wear her seat belt! She was a unique, creative, kind, and deeply compassionate person, and she always told you she loved you. So many of her friends and family loved her dearly, and she will be truly missed. She will always be in our memories."
Julia was preceded in death by her parents.
She was survived by her daughter Dominique (née Huffman) Lawrenz and son-in-law, John Lawrenz of Oakland, California; Her brother Maclin E. Minard & wife Polly Minard of Dunkirk, Indiana; sister Veralu (née Minard) Nicholson & husband John Nicholson of Pensacola, Florida ; and granddaughter Gianna Lawrenz.
Service will be held in Indiana and Arizona at a date and location to be determined and communicated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Academy of Regenerative Medicine at www.aabrm.org in preference of Neurological Disease in memory of Julia Minard.