Julia Joan Whitney

Julia Joan Kacmar Whitney 89, formerly of Preston Township, PA felt the loving embrace of Our Lord on July 12, 2026, surrounded by family members at her home. She joined her husband Walter Francis Whitney, who died May 16, 2025, in eternal rest. They were married for 68 years. Julia was a loving mother to her eight children, Walter, Theresa, Mary, Patrick, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Peter, Juli-anne. Her children blessed her with sons and daughters-in-law, 24 grandchildren, more spouses, and 15 great-grandchildren. She knew every one of their birthdays. 

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Stefan and Veronica Kacmar and older sister Mary Sweisberger. Her surviving siblings are Steven Kacmar and Veronica Zwernamann. Julia has many nieces and nephews and knew everyone of their birthdays, too.  

Julia was born on January 20, 1937, in New York City. Stefan and Veronica moved their family to the “country” in Fort Lee, New Jersey when Julia was a toddler.  Julia graduated eighth grade from Madonna Catholic School, there. She spoke fondly and respectfully of the nuns who taught her. Julia told her own children the sometimes-gruesome stories they told the students to get them to behave. She spent her childhood exploring her neighborhood and getting into silly trouble with her best friend and next-door neighbor, Nancy Careri. One of Julia’s favorite pastimes was telling stories of the escapades they would get into, and the consequences from their parents.  

Julia graduated from Fort Lee High School. She then proudly was employed at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until she started her family.  

Julia met her husband, Walter, through friends of her sister, Mary. Not being one for silly romance, she told her children she fell in love with Walter by the way he kept himself so clean. They married on November 17, 1956. They bought a small house in Park Ridge, NJ where it grew as their family did.  

Over the span of years Julia raised her eight children, she had many other roles.  First, she made her home a welcoming place for just about anyone, from anywhere. Her children’s friends (and certain neighborhood kids) knew The Whitney House as a place to come for company, solace, food or somewhere to sleep, if needed.  Julia often told her family that “Jesus is the unseen guest at every meal” and 

sometimes the kids would set an extra plate, just in case “He” would show.  Sometimes it was utilized. The house wasn’t fancy, the meals weren’t fancy, but they were shared. There are many people who would consider themselves the ninth Whitney child.  

Julia was involved in her community while raising her children. She was a beloved CCD teacher at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Park Ridge. Her strong faith and kindness with children endured through decades of that volunteer role. She joined the choir with her strong faith and love of music and was a member of the Rosary Society. 

Julia was a Girl Scout leader for many years while her own daughters were Scouts.  From troop meetings to camping to parades, she was very proud to lead young girls to grow up to be strong responsible women. 

Julia was always more than willing to bake for anything that was called for while her children were growing up. There were never store-bought mixes, or too much sugar in her recipes. An extra egg for nutrition was usually added, too.  

Julia started working at East Brook School as a lunch lady, monitoring students in and outside of the multi-purpose room. Her skill with children was recognized by the staff, and she became an aid for students who needed extra attention. She then graduated to assistant position in the library. Julia retired from this position when  

her and Walter moved to their new home in Thompson, Pennsylvania.  

In their new community, Julia kept busy, too. Her love of the library led her to a volunteer position at the local library. Her grandchildren were always special guests when visiting. She was elected to serve as both treasurer and secretary of the local Democratic club. Julia was even requested to be president but declined the offer.  

Julia continued to sing in the choir at her new parish. With Walter, they were strong supporters of the multiple small rural Catholic churches. Cleaning, repair, decorating and financial support were very important to them. A major highlight in Julia’s life in Pennsylvania was the Rock Lake Picnic for St. Katharine Drexel parish. She proudly oversaw the stand that sold baked goods, and baked for them, too. 

During the warm months, Julia and Walter had a driving range they opened where they worked together for several years. Although she did not golf, she came to have a great interest in the sport and was a follower of professional golf.  

As they grew older, Julia and Walter became snowbirds and maintained a home in Florida, first in LeCanto, then Beverly Hills. She was active in the community there even getting Walter to join the choir. She made friends wherever she went and was known everywhere for her baked goods. 

Julia was very proud of her eastern European heritage, especially being Polish. She mixed some words she grew up with into her everyday language, creating a personal vocabulary for the Whitney family. Julia loved Polka. Walter was an excellent partner. As a couple they became celebrities on a featured segment of the Uncle Floyd radio show every Sunday as the Prince and Princess of Polka! They were featured Polka dancers on one of the Pennsylvania Polka public TV shows. 

At the age of 61, Julia had a massive heart attack while on vacation in Ireland. She said she was born-again on the emerald isle and considered herself from then to be part Irish. This deepened her embrace of Walter’s Irish heritage. They attended many Irish parades and were a part of any Irish celebration they could be. 

Once she settled into her “retired” life, Julia spent more time with her love of crocheting and sewing. She crocheted many Irish berets for pro-golfers that Walter would give to. Family and friends would put in orders for items, and she did her best to fulfill them. Baby blankets, stocking caps and mittens are the cherished inheritance that she left her family, and many other babies. Julia was still working on a baby blanket until the last weeks of her life.  

During the last years of Julia and Walter’s life their Catholic faith was a comfort as their health declined. They prayed the rosary for peace in the world every evening.  Although they were not officially in the Legion of Mary, they would pray it together and help each other to remember it by heart. When visiting their Mom and Dad, all their children knew praying the rosary was part of nighttime routine. There was a rosary in nearly every pocket and purse of Julia’s. She became a proud Cursillista and wore her cross every day.  

Julia lived a life so full, it would be a novel to include every person she touched and every role she had. She will be leaving a hole in the large family she created. 

Her funny songs and sayings will be missed, the phone calls and visits and her comments about her children and grandchildren’s appearance. Julia truly did her best to find the good in people. She was forever patient with her spouse and children, forgiving no matter how terrible their behavior was. Her loving example to so many people has made this Earth a better place.  

The funeral will be Saturday July 18th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in Saint Juliana’s Church, 2048 Creamton Drive, Rock Lake.  Interment, Saint Juliana’s Cemetery, Rock Lake.  Friends may call Friday July 17th from 3 to 6 pm at the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City, and on Saturday morning at the church from 9 am until mass time.

In lieu of flowers, Julia would like donations to be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, who cared for her in her last months of life at www.hospicesacredheart.org/donate

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