A funeral mass for Julia Newell Flaxel, 81, of Coos Bay, will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 28 at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 357 S. 6th street in Coos Bay.  A reception will follow the service at the Coos Art Museum, 235 Anderson Avenue in Coos Bay.  Private interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Coos Bay.

Julia was born Dec. 16, 1935 in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. to Douglas and Margaret (Stillman) White.  She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, August 21, 2017.

Early in Julia’s life, the family moved from New York to Coos Bay, where her father had a business opportunity.  She graduated from Marshfield high school in 1953 and received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Oregon in 1957, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Julie married Benton Flaxel, Aug. 20, 1966 in Lake Oswego.  She was an elementary school teacher at various places; Raleigh Hills Elementary School in Portland, schools in California and the Strategic Air Command in England.

She was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church, a local Right-to-Life leader, a P.E.O Member, part of many bridge clubs over the years and even started a gourmet cooking (eating) group.  Julie also loved classical music and was very involved with the Oregon Coast Music Festival, from its beginnings.

Later in life, she became an Independent Travel consultant with several local travel agencies.  She loved to travel!  Alongside her husband, Julie traveled all over the world to places like Southeast Asia, on African safaris, to Israel, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt, just to name a few.

She is survived by her husband, Benton Charles Flaxel; son, Charles Stewart and wife, Amy Flaxel; grandchildren, Jeremy, Trevor and Sydney; and brother, Douglas J. White, Jr. and wife, Denise.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Peggy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to South Coast Hospice, 1620 Thompson Road in Coos Bay or the Pregnancy Resource Center, 490 Commercial Avenue in Coos Bay.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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