Julie Marie Monteith, 55, died peacefully in her home on the afternoon of Dec. 2, 2016. She was born May 3, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minn., to her late father, Ray W. Monteith, and her loving, surviving mother, Jan Monteith. She graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1979. She began her commitment to furthering her education at Ohio Wesleyan, where she was very active in her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. After a few semesters, she changed her major and enrolled in Indiana University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in communication. Her career first began at Indianapolis Monthly. After about a year, she became restless and decided to make a change. With her passion for the advertising business, she knew she wanted to work for Milwaukee Magazine, part of Quad Graphics. Determined for an opportunity to work with Quad Graphics, she personally called Mrs. Quadrache seven times, unsuccessfully. But with her mother's insistence, she made one more contact, and her persistence paid off, as she became a valued employee not only for the firm, but directly for Mrs. Quadrache as well. In her early years, she always had a passion and a heart for Texas. After a small inheritance from her grandparents, and hearing a sermon about change from Pastor Steve Conger, she bought a designer dress and an airplane ticket. With courage, she headed to Texas to interview with Texas Monthly and was hired immediately. She followed the dream God placed in her heart. She always loved Christmas. For a few years, the Monteith family had a family tradition to meet in Chicago for her sissy's and mother's birthdays. During this fun occasion, she announced her exciting decision to move to Chicago to be closer to home. On faith, she began advertising with CS Magazine, where she began selling advertising with no client base, working hard, developing relationships, creating accounts, and becoming a successful account executive. Another life change came when her father, “Big Daddy,” passed away. Her heart tugged at her that it was time to come home to Warsaw to be with her family. She resigned from CS Magazine in May and moved into a home on North Bay Drive just days before the Fourth of July, her second favorite holiday after her birthday. Every year she looked forward to leaving the cold weather, traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She loved spending time on the beach with her family, her Puerto Vallarta American and Canadian friends, and the special beach vendors and waiters that adored her. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with all her faith and positive thoughts, she knew this would be her hardest time. Just after starting her treatments, she was at home on a Saturday and heard a knock on her door. At the time, she was on the phone talking to her mother, and she said to her mom, “Rick Morris is at the door.” Her mother exclaimed, “Answer it!” Long story short, she answered the door and two friends from years ago came together. No doubt Rick help turn her darkest of times into the best of times. Her father, Ray Monteith, preceded her in death. Survivors include her mother, Janis; Rick Morris, her loving companion; her brother, Scott (wife Lisa), Indianapolis; Sissy Kerri Gieras (husband Bill), Warsaw; three nieces, Michelle Henry (husband Jason), Jennifer Rapsavage (husband Brent) and Lauren Monteith; and her nephew, Andrew Monteith (spouse Kirsten). From the get-go, she was given the endearing title of Aunt Cuckoo by her great-niece and nephews. Long live the happiness, laughter and love of life that she spread to many of us throughout her beautiful life. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church with Dr. Erik Ohman officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Burial will be private. ***** Memorials to Presby Preschool (Play Love Learn), 210 S. High St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, P.O Box 1810, Warsaw, IN 46581-1810. To sign the guestbook or send a condolence, go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
