Julie Kathleen (Burke) Parnes

Julie Kathleen (Burke) Parnes, 83, passed away at peace among loving family in the early morning of July 3 in Salem.

Julie was known for her optimistic, infectious and caring personality that brought cheer in her life and to those around her. The first time her husband, Larry, met her it was her beautiful smile that captured his heart.

Her strong personality, intellect and drive, combined with “sisu” from her Finnish ancestry, served her well in the challenges of life. She was described as a force of nature.

Julie loved flowers and gardening. Her impeccable sense of design and patterns were expressed in her highly skilled sewing, quilting, knitting and needlepoint.

Julie was born in Clatskanie to Bradford and Lucille Burke. She grew up with three sisters and two brothers on the family farm in the Midland District.

She finished elementary and high school in Clatskanie, where she was an exchange student to Finland during her junior year. She was an honor student and her class valedictorian in 1957.

Following graduation, she attended Lewis & Clark College, where she met and married Patrick O’Neal. Their family of Michael, Eileen, Patrick and Kelly soon came along. They later divorced, and Julie began a career in real estate.

Julie found her life partner, Larry Parnes. They were married in a ceremony in Los Angeles, and then on the banks of the Rogue River in Gold Beach.

Larry and Julie retired and moved to Salem, where they built Julie’s dream home, which she primarily designed. She kept busy with a huge garden and orchard, family activities and craftwork.

Julie is survived by her children, Michael O’Neal, Eileen Simmons, Patrick O’Neal (Beth) and Brandyn Oberhardt; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary, Kathy, Michael (Susan), Steven (Karen) and Barbara (Howard); and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is loved and missed by all.