Julia Lawson Bleakley, 73, of Newport News, VA, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 3, 2024, after a short battle with cancer.

Julia was born on October 24, 1950, to John Healy Lawson and Estelle Violet Walker in Hampton, VA. After Julia graduated from Hampton High School, Go Crabbers, in 1968, she began her career in communications at C&P Telephone (Verizon) Business Office in Richmond, VA.  She served there for 30 years where she made life-long friendships that she cherished so dearly.  She often reminisced of those "car-pool" days and how tiring but fun times they were.

Julia is survived by her loving husband of twenty-eight years, Brian; sons, Normand (Marty) Martel Jr., Kevin Bleakley, Brian Bleakley, Jr. (Emma); siblings, John Lawson (Candy), Robert Lawson, Stephen Bleakley (Janet), Shirley Bleakley Butler (Art), Kathleen Bleakley Burke (Phil) and Mark Bleakley (Tammie); two amazing grandchildren, Alexander Bleakley and Olivia Bleakley.  In addition, a host of wonderful nephews and nieces from both the Bleakley and Lawson families; and her four-legged furry children, Hank, Allie, Bella, Clancy, and Slider.

For those who knew Julia knew that she loved baseball.  She was passionate about watching her son, Marty, play baseball starting in little league, then onto the Pony League, through high school and college (Virginia Wesleyan) and ultimately into the Chicago White Sox minor league.  She was so proud of his accomplishments and enjoyed living out her field of dreams for him.

After her retirement, Julia and Brian spent many years enjoying time in their RV.  They traveled cross-country experiencing all that life had to offer.  From the Rocky Mountain terrains to the moose crossings of Maine they ultimately ended up in sunny, warm Florida.  Whether it was camping in the Keys or taking family to Disney, Brian and Julia always shared their happiness together in a home on wheels!

Brian wants to thank all the nurses and staff members at Riverside Regional Medical Center's 5th floor cancer unit, Patriot's Colony Rehabilitation Center, and Riverside Doctors' Hospital for all their amazing love and care given to Julia during her journey.  They truly took such great care of her.

A memorial service will be held later this Spring.  The time and place will be announced on Brian's Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in memory of her to the Animal Aid Society where she volunteered much of her time to help find loving homes for a plethora of dogs in need.
https://www.animalaidsociety.org/