February 16, 1927 – July 27, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Julie DesJardins, our beloved Mother and Nana. Her love, devotion and dedication to her family will be deeply missed.
Julie was born on Feb. 16, 1927, named Julia Estelle Carmichael, until a name change was registered as Julie Grant Munro.
Julie had the very good fortune, and privilege of being adopted by Alex Sr. and Christina Munro of Squamish, B.C..
Julie was predeceased by her husband, Robert DesJardins, mother, Christina, father, Alex Munro Sr., brothers George and Alex Jr., and her sister Mary Goad.
Julie’s family owned 54 horses of which her favourite was “Maude.”
She spent many summers with her Dad and brothers taking the horses north up to Alpine Lodge and running pack trains of tourists by horseback into Garibaldi Park.
Some of her fondest memories were spent hiking up to Black Tusk, through Panorama Ridge, and sunbathing on the shores of Garibaldi Lake.
Julie was one of the original telephone operators in Squamish when party lines still existed.
She worked at the Waltz Inn Café, and alongside ‘Uncle Bill’ the blind baker in the very same bakery, we now know as the Sunflower.
Julie was an avid, competitive softball player and spent many years playing as a star shortstop, and batter with a great throwing arm.
Julie was always known for her amazing homemaking skills and fabulous baking and pastry. Julie and Bob raised their children Janice, Robin, and David in Squamish.
Julie deeply loved her community and made several legacy contributions.
She successfully lobbied the District of Squamish to install an asphalt running track beside the Howe Sound Secondary School for the purpose of competitive sporting events and encouraging youth to participate in athletic training and provincial events.
Julie also met Eric Anderson after contacting him about how to correct various inaccuracies in the Squamish Library historic photo information.
She and Eric would meet at the Library, which turned out to be more than a few sessions.
Julie’s extended family, over the years, donated large collections of rare photos of early Squamish, Garibaldi Park, and the Britannia Mines to the Squamish Public Library.
Julie took the initiative to follow up with the Library and provide valuable information, including corrections and background to a great number of these photos located in the Library’s historic archives.
Julie was in a rare position to share information about our early community contributors and builders and was very proud to offer a link to the pre-WW1 “Newport” era of our town through her father, Henry Alex Munro.
Julie was especially proud of Mayor Corinne Lonsdale's public dedication of the Valleycliffe Fire hall, subsequently the new Squamish Fire hall No.1 to her father, Alex Munro Sr., which followed a lifetime of his and his family's service to the community of Squamish.
Julie also advocated for “Safe Routes to Schools” before such a program existed. She single-handedly and successfully lobbied the District Council and the Dept. of Highways for a Mamquam Blind Channel highway bridge pedestrian underpass, first installed in the late 1970s.
Julie deeply loved her family and her four Grandchildren—Rachel and Daniel Scott (Janice), Jacob and Sydney DesJardins (Robin), and Barclay DesJardins (David). Mom, Nana……you have been very loved and will be deeply missed. Rest in Peace.
A celebration of life will be held at the Squamish Funeral Chapel on Saturday, Sept. 21st, from 1p.m. to 4 p.m.
We wish to extend our gratitude and thank you to Dr. Malherbe, Dr. Miller, Dr. Sabatini, Lisa Chapeskie and all of the staff at Hilltop House who cared and comforted our Mom and Nana. God Bless you All
To make a donation to Hilltop House Support Society in honour of Julie please visit: hilltophousesupportsociety.org/donate
To sign the book of condolences, please go to squamishfuneralchapel.com
