It is great sadness that we announce the passing of Julie Barrows on December 28, 2022. Julie passed away suddenly due to a short battle of cancer at the age of 60. Julie was born on December 11, 1962 to Jim and Helen Barrows in Nanaimo, BC. Julie leaves behind her partner of 25 years Jerry (Spud), her son Carl, Mom Helen, and close friend Linda, as well as many families, friends, and customers. Julie is predeceased by her sister, Donna Barrows and her father, Jim Barrows.
Julie started her career at Thrifty Foods in Nanaimo in 1987 and then moved to Victoria in 1992 and transferred to the Thrifty Foods Broadmead location.
Julie is known for her laughter and her great customer service. Julie knew every customer by their name and she knew all about them and their families. Julie took great pride in knowing her customers personally. Julie also loved playing Bingo, Lottery, and going to the Casino. Julie worked at a number of Thrifty Foods stores over the course of her 35 years of service, but she’s been at the Thrifty Foods Tuscany location for the last 15 years.
A Celebration of Life will take place on February 19, 2023 at the Oaklands Community Center at 2827 Belmont Ave, from 2pm – 4pm to reminisce, grieve and support each other and of course, chat and laugh as that is what Julie would want us to do.
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Kim
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Julie. I had the pleasure of working with Julie at the Broadmead Thriftys in 1992 and as a customer, always looking for her at the till so I could say hi and chat for a minute. She was always friendly and smiling. I will miss her as will all who were lucky to know her and have her in their lives.
Colleen Guiney
So heartbreaking to lose such a beautiful person. Thanks for the many laughs , Julie. My condolences to Jerry, Carl and all your family and friends who loved you ever so dearly. You will be missed by so many. Sleep easy, Julie ❤️
Gail Paul
A genuine person loved all her customers, she always cheered me as I had surgery for breast cancer. She said you will beat this for sure. Not knowing she was I’ll herself.
Nico Craveiro
Julie you were one of kind. Over the years we worked together, you always asked “are we going to have fun today”. We usually always did. You will be missed by many, especially my 2 kids who always found what till you were on and would get mad at me if we went to a different till with a shorter line. Tuscany will not be the same without your personality at the Front End. Rest easy my friend.
Condolences to Carl, Jerry and all of Julie’s family.
Becca Payne
I knew Julie from Tuscany Thriftys. She was such a kind, caring funny and upbeat person. She watched my kids grow from toddlers to teens and always asked about how they were doing. And just this past summer Julie helped my son get his first job at Thriftys. I appreciated Julie’s kind heart and sharp wit. I loved hearing stories of her son Carl whom she adored. We will all miss Julie! My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Nancy Campbell
I’m so sad to hear of Julie’s passing. She was always so kind and never too busy to lend you an ear or shoulder to lean on. I remember getting to know Julie when we lived in Nanaimo and always enjoyed our time together. Much too young to leave this world…you’ll be sorely missed
Julie & Clayton Swain
Heartbreaking to hear of Julie’s passing, Julie had a heart of gold and I feel lucky to of shared so many laughs with her. My husband and I were both lucky enough to work with Julie at Thriftys. Customers loved going through her till, she knew everyone by name and made each person she came in to contact with feel special. What a huge loss to all who knew her. Sending so much love to her family and friends.
Vivian
She will be missed. So enjoyed working with her as well as being a long time customer at Tuscany. I always found her till to through and have a chat. My hubby would go through her till too and buy his ice cream at night. He would tell her don’t tell Viv, she told me anyway. Always friendly helpful. So sad to see a vibrant life go so soon. Condolences to all her friends and family.
Terra Barton
My condolences to Julie’s family. I have fond memories of Julie visiting our house with her parents and sister Donna many years ago.
Erin Stewart
I had the pleasure of meeting Julie when I started at Tuscany in 2020. She made me feel welcome from day one. Julie and I had nicknames of Mertle for her and Matidila for myself. She treated me as her own! Julie put up listening to my adventures of getting cats! She was so excited to hear that I was pregnant and was so excited to take my little one for fries and ice cream. She asked to be her honorary grandma which I couldn’t deny! She loved seeing her when I brought her in for a visit. I will miss bringing her coffee and our chats. Rest easy my dear Mertle.
Helen
Julie and I would have our breaks together all the time. I would get to work early to have a coffee with her before work. She was such an amazing person. When I transferred to another store I cried because I would not see her all the time. Julie you were loved by all who had the pleasure to know you. Rest in peace my friend, till we meet again.
Janie Richardson
I met Julie when she still lived in Nanaimo. We played ball together and worked in the same mall. She worked in the shoe store me at McFarlane travel. We had a lot of fun, anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her knew of her contagious laugh., and fun spirit! Rip my friend! Sending hugs to Jerry and Carl! This is so sad taken so young❤️❤️😘
Debra woods
So sorry to hear this. When I shopped at Thrifty’s Julie always treated me like a good friend. She always expressed interest in my family and their well-being. She will be sorely missed as an exceptional example of customer service and a lovely spirit!
Teresa Cameron
I am saddened to hear of Julie’s sudden passing. Julie was a kind person. She spoke often about her husband and son to me as a fellow cashier. I worked with Julie at the Cloverdale Thrifty Foods in the early 2000s. I moved away then returned and by then she had transfered to the Tuscany Thrifty’s. She was funny, friendly and an all-around lovely person. I am sending my deepest condolences to her family.
Donna Shorting
I had the opportunity to meet Julie when I started working for Thrifty Foods in Nanaimo. We worked together for several years before she moved to Victoria. We stayed in touch through my visits to her new store location. My Mom , Ruth would insist we find Julie at the till so we could catch up. Julie was such an exceptional employee for Thrifty Foods. She loved her job but also she loved her co-workers and customers. Julie will be missed by all who had the privilege to call her a friend. My condolences to her family and friends.
Carolynn
Julie – loved your laughter , stories, connection with customers, asking about mom, always smiling. A special person who touched many lives You are missed ❤️
Marg Elliott
My condolences to Julies’s family & friends. Julie was a lovely person. Rest in peace my dear. Always remembered
Marg & family.
P .S big hugs for you & my Jerry
❤️❤️❤️
Carolyn
My sincerest condolences to Julie’s family & friends. Julie had a great sense of humour we shared many laughs when she visited me in LA she will be missed.
Carolyn Seriani (Davenport)
Kathy
It is so sad to read of Julie’s passing. I met Julie in grade 8 at Wellington High School in Nanaimo, and she instantly became a friend. We had endless fun and so much laughter.
I have such fond memories of those days. Julie may now be an angel in Heaven, but she certainly was an angel here on Earth to so many people. Rest in peace Julie.
Condolences to Helen, Jerry, Carl and to all who loved her.