Obituary: Julia Haggith (nee Callihoo)

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Julia Haggith (nee Callihoo)

October 31, 1921–March 8, 2021

Julia Haggith (nee Callihoo) began her next journey on March 8th, 2021 in Bellingham, Washington at 99 years old, but always young at heart. She was born October 31, 1921, on her family’s farm located in the Michel Reserve in Villeneuve, Alberta. Born two months early and the fourth of 13, her parents Clothilde and Victor Callihoo kept her warm by placing her in a shoebox on the oven door and fed her milk with a dropper until she grew strong enough to join her other siblings. Throughout her life, she worked various jobs including mangling laundry, grading eggs, and working in a restaurant during the war. She left her life on the farm in Spruce Grove to move to the coast with her sister, Teresa, picking berries and then working at a hospital. One sunny day Julia, her sister, and a friend were hitchhiking on the Patello Bridge in BC when they were picked up by Alfred Haggith- her future husband, in a bright yellow convertible DeSoto. Together they moved to Washington where they raised five children together. After her retirement, she spent her time traveling the world for pleasure with her husband of  59 years and spending lots of quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a devout Catholic, her relationship with Jesus was important to her and you could find her every Sunday morning attending mass at St. Anne’s in Blaine.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, and all of her siblings except her brother, David (Hilary) Callihoo. She is survived by her children; Kyle (Sarah) Haggith, Linda (Ken) MacKenzie, Nancy Haggith, Bonita (Dan) Hesketh, and Clarice Rhoads. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She will be remembered fondly by many for her infectious giggle, competitive streak when playing the train game with her family, and love for a cold glass of Pinot Gris. Even 99 years was not enough time with our beloved mother, grandmother, and GG, but the legacy and love she has left behind for all her friends and family will endure forever.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials and donations to Whatcom Hospice online or at (360) 788-6859. 


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