Julia Ferriter Morgan, (1942 - 2020) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

For Happy Hearts
for rain and sunny weather
we thank the Lord for all of these
and that we were together

We want to thank you for taking the time to visit this site celebrating our much loved wife, mom, sister, grandmom, and cousin, and for joining us in remembering the life she led. We love her and miss her dearly. We want to invite anyone to share stories, photographs, or any other memories they may have of Julie, so that her family and any other visitors can enjoy them here. They do not need to be perfect—anything that helps us remember or learn more about our Mom would be hugely appreciated!  Just click on "Stories" or "Gallery" above to contribute, or add any "Tribute" below. (If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this site, please email rees.f.morgan@gmail.com or j.chad.morgan1@gmail.com.)

Julia Ferriter (Cochran) Morgan (1942-2020)

Julia Ferriter Morgan passed away peacefully on May 6th, 2020, after complications from a fall at home. A native Washingtonian, she was born Julia Cochran Ferriter on February 23rd, 1942, in Washington D.C. She was the beloved daughter of US Navy Capt John Baker Ferriter (USNA, Class of 1938) and Julia Ellen (Turner) Ferriter, the beloved older sister of Navy Captain Edward Chadwick (“Ted”) Ferriter and Kathryn Ellen (Ferriter) Kramer (1952-1978), and the beloved wife of William Herbert Morgan.

Julia was initially raised at 1906 Rhode Island Avenue NE, Washington D.C. as her father had been called away to serve as a Surface Warfare Officer (largely on Destroyers) in both theaters during World War II. Julie attended nearby John Burroughs Elementary School. She attended Washington and Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, spent her junior year in Newport, Rhode Island, and spent her senior year and graduated from Key West High School in Florida as a “conch.” She began her college education at American University, and graduated with a degree in Art from Old Dominion University. She enjoyed many wonderful years living in Washington D.C., Hawaii, and San Francisco (amongst other places), and ultimately settled in Arlington, Virginia with her husband of 48 years.

A lifelong artist and adventurer, Julie traveled the world and had wide experiences: teaching Art in Norfolk; deep sea fishing in Key West; a long—and at times audacious—camping trip from the mountains of Mexico to the lakes of Canada with her brother (during the trip she led her little brother into a holdup by Mexican “banditos” with shotguns); working at the Corcoran Museum of Art in Washington D.C; and living with her husband on the beach of Kailua Bay in Hawaii, and in the beautiful, artistic city of San Francisco during its historic late-'60's period (where she was well known for driving her Triumph TR3 convertible at dizzying speeds and getting “Hollywood-style” air as she traversed the San Francisco hills). In her later years, Julie would say that she wasn't upset that she couldn't get around as she used to, because it was "fun to sit back and think about the times when she did it all."

Julie's primary professional passions were Fine Arts and teaching--her own artistic style being impressionist. Julie often said that of the many jobs she had, her favorite was raising her two sons--Rees Ferriter Morgan and John Chadwick Morgan, an attorney and a Marine. Julie raised her sons with a fierce love that could possibly be called "tough" love.  She had a tremendously strong constitution, and the boys looked at her as the toughest person they knew. Fond of sports, if they ever received praise for toughness or strength on an athletic field together, they would reply: "we get it from our Mom." Julie ultimately battled a number of ailments—COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) being the most detrimental. But she never complained, never let any illness stop her from doing what she wanted to do, and to her very last day maintained the robust spirit that made her presence seem so large.

Julie was strong willed, was kind and caring to everyone she met, and had a profound, positive impact on everyone who came to know her. Socially, she loved parties, events, and get-togethers of any kind—whether a small gathering on the beaches of Hawaii or a big party she hosted on Wyoming Avenue in Northwest or Pierce Street in Arlington. She was an engaging conversationalist and the life of any party--often coercing everyone onto the dance floor until the early hours of the morning. She was an exceptional card player. She almost never lost, but also rarely missed a chance to bend a rule or two…particularly against her adoring (and unsuspecting) children or grandchildren. She had passions for games, food, fun, arts, parties, sports, travel, and water, but…above all else…family.

Julie was the matriarch of her clan. She will be dearly missed by all of her beloved family: her husband and sons, her wonderful daughter in law Katie Marie Cooper Morgan and grandchildren Claire Ellen Cooper Morgan and Jack Parker Morgan; her beloved brother and sister in law Patricia Laqua Ferriter, her nephews John Laqua Ferriter and his wife Stacy Davis Ferriter and their children Breckyn and Pierce, Edward “Andrew” Ferriter, his wife Kristin Davis Ferriter and their children Ivy and John Davis; her beloved cousins and lifelong friends Betsy Murphy Dyke and Barbara Murphy Horn, their wonderful children William Dabney, Colin Dyke, D. J. Horn, Teddy Dabney, Julie Dyke Johnston, and all of their wonderful families, and her brother in law Kim Kramer.

Julie’s artwork, her stories, and the echoes of her laughter will continue to fill her family’s homes for years to come. Her presence can never be replaced, but her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with her close-knit Ferriter family—her father, mother, and Ellen—as well as the beloved Murphy family, Conrad family, and all of the wonderful friends and family members she had the pleasure to know and to love. We also take comfort in knowing that she’s back to doing everything else she loved to do—sunning on the beach in front of the little cottage in Hawaii, wandering the hills of San Francisco, gallivanting the globe, and taking an occasional break to capture the incredible landscapes and people she came across along the way with her paintings and photographs.

Tributes

Leave a tribute

April 16, 2023

   Julie wrote a very touching note about our little sister Ellie a year after her passing. I recently found this note and I wanted to include it here since it is such a lovely reflection of both Julie and El. I miss them both tremendously.
   Thank you Julie for capturing this thought and for helping all of us keep El's memory alive. Your many notes were often hard to read, but always with strong and loving feelings.
   Ted

November 27, 1979

   My darling Ellen Ferriter Kramer left us one year ago today. We miss her with a bottomless emptiness. We will love her with such depth forever.

February 23, 2021

Julie was such an amazing woman who is greatly missed, and will continue to be missed for a long time. She had such a huge impact on me and all of the other people that her life touched. Aunt Julie, or “Aunt Dooly” as I called her as a young boy, was so loving, funny, interesting, quirky, and not always understanding (wearing a hat inside, eating too many appetizers (specifically guacamole and shrimp), long hair, facial hair… and I don’t want to think about what she’d say about the tattoos)! I have too many great memories of her to share but I will cherish them forever. Not only did she have such a positive impact on my life but she was also an amazing aunt-in-law to my wife and great-aunt to my kids. We were blessed to live close to her in Arlington and I had the pleasure of watching my kids get to know and love her. My daughter, Ivy, still asks me about Julie and is so intrigued that “Papa” could have an older sister, like she is to JD. And her mind is completely blown when we talk about how Julie introduced me to Calvin and Hobbes when I was a young boy…and she is pretty thankful for this because, in turn, Julie indirectly introduced my kids to Calvin and Hobbes! Even though most of the jokes are above their heads now, they will be forever grateful for this. I can still hear her calling me Bear in many of the lonnnnnng voicemails she left me at all hours of the day and night…and I’m kicking myself for having deleted some of these absolute gems. Luckily my amazing wife, Kristin, had an equal share of these voicemails and still has some of them! These aren’t as great as some of the calls I would get but hearing Julie plan family get togethers and discuss different family dishes over voicemail bring plenty of tears. We’ll love you forever Julie and will never stop missing you.

November 24, 2020

Thinking about Julie Morgan a lot the last few months. Thanksgiving will never be the same for me without Mrs. Morgan. I looked forward to her smile and sense of humor every year, Cribbage (which I still cannot play well), the "Honeys..." before suggesting something we don't do, laughing and drinking with us late into the night. She was a sassy night owl (which really speaks to my style), strong woman in all ways, so loved, and now greatly missed for how unique and wonderful a human she was.

June 10, 2020

   Ted and I received a card from a friend of mine after we lost Julie. She added an anonymous quote that reminded me so much of Julie: “A life well lived doesn’t end anymore than music ends. It echoes through time in whispers of beauty and grace.”
   Julie was so much more than a sister-in-law during the forty-five years we shared. True friends have ups and downs and their friendship gets stronger with each of them. There were so many more ups than downs and the downs were quickly forgotten because of the love we had for each other.
   Our shared experiences spanned from before children, when she and Bill made a trip to Corpus Christi, Texas to approve (or disapprove) of Ted’s choice for a life partner, to becoming grandparents. Her children are mine and mine are hers. I could fill a book with our amazing experiences together.
   Through failing health, pain and physical limitations, she showed incredible strength, grace and beauty. I love you, miss you dearly and will hang on to a lifetime of memories.

   Pat

June 9, 2020

When Bob and I first got a sailboat, Julie told me stories of when she was a kid living on a base. I can't remember if she was headed to school or to a job, but she told me she got there by sailing her boat. She said she never minded having to get up early because she was always excited to get on the water. Much more fun than riding your bike!

June 6, 2020

Remembrance from Rees Ferriter Morgan (this was actually a first version of the obituary, which we decided was a little too informal for the Post, but thought we'd share it here):

Julie Ferriter Morgan (aka Judy, JulJr, Momm-O) passed away peacefully on May 6, 2020, after complications from a fall at home. Julie was born February 23, 1942 to Captain John Baker and Julia Ellen Ferriter. The world was never the same. Among many things, Julie loved staying up (very) late talking and joking during impromptu gatherings of friends; painting; playing (and sometimes cheating at) cards, especially endless games of cribbage; cocker spaniels; midnight snack-os; and dancing. But most of all she loved her family. She enjoyed forty-eight years of adventures with her husband, Bill Morgan, in San Francisco, Hawaii and elsewhere, before they settled in Arlington, Virginia. There she raised, fiercely loved and occasionally became exasperated with sons Rees and Chad Morgan (you dumb bunnies!). She loved daughter-in-law Katie Morgan and worshipped grandchildren Claire and Jack Morgan. Julie’s brother Ted (Eduardo!), sister-in-law Pat and nephews John and Andrew Ferriter were constant and fabulous companions.

We will miss her very, very much. But we take comfort in knowing that Julie is now laughing with her beloved sister Ellen, playing cards with her mother and jitterbugging with her dad.

June 3, 2020

Julie was simply the best “Big Sister” a little brother could ask for. Her careful mentoring started early, when I was a first grader at Page Elementary in Arlington. Julie was in sixth grade at the same school. Guess who volunteered as “monitor” for our class during nap time? She was always there for me!
We shared too much to count: growing up in a wonderful family; our special sister Ellie; art, ideas, food, stories and love; adventures camping in Vermont, driving from Mexico to Minnesota (see Stories section); playing serious cribbage; and continuing a long time family tradition of gathering with relatives, kids and grandkids.
I love and miss Julie immeasurably. I take solace in the huge impression, and influence, she made on so many both inside our family and out.
- Ted

Leave a Tribute

Recent Tributes

April 16, 2023

February 23, 2021

November 24, 2020

View all 7 tributes

Gallery

Processing...

This may take up to an hour.
Please be patient.

Error:

click to contact support.

This shows some of our favorite things about Mom--her laugh, energy, and spirit. There are a few exasperated moments, a few tough love moments, and lots of dancing and celebrating life!

The same crew of Marines—80s Hair Band Squad!—dressed down and out of Blues. Hanging in the back yard on Pierce Street, having a great time with Mom, Dad, UT, and Cody!!

Julie and Claire on the pontoon at Pat and Ted's

Gathering at the beach in North Carolina

Family gathering on Julie and Bill's deck

View all 120 items

Happy Birthday!

February 29

Juiekins,

You always said you liked having a birthday close to Presidents Day, and only one day off George Washington's birthday, because that made it easy to remember! (Unlike some other family members who decided advertising their birthday early and often was the best way to keep relatives reminded of important dates!)

We sure miss having you with us on our trip to California, We know how much you would enjoy the weather, the culture, the food and most of all the family gatherings, stories and bonding.

You would be 82 years young this year and if there is one thing we miss more than anything it is your youthful approach to life. Happy Birthday sister, we've been thinking about you!

Lots of love,
Ted and Pat

Tribute to a Foodie

February 22, 2021

Like her younger brother (me) Julie was a serious foodie. She cooked a mean Kung Pao chicken; she loved Popeye’s spicy chicken; she was recently surprised by how good the new Bonchow Korean chicken place in Arlington was. She totally enjoyed selecting a variety of tasty Chinese and Indian dishes from the many local carry out menus she kept on hand for ready reference.

            Julie loved reading the Food Section of the Washington Post and always passed on articles she thought I would like. Her trips with her family to favorite restaurants included the very authentic and cozy Japanese Matuba, her very favorite RT’s in Arlandria, and she may have been Army Navy Country Club’s most discriminating, as well as critical, diner. Wherever we went, if it was available, I knew we were going to order fried calamari. I also knew I was going to have to “share” (fight for) the crispy tentacles with Julie.

            She loved big family meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners, where Julie always wanted to use as much of our Grandmom’s china as possible. Presentation was key in her well attended dining room; the more cut glass and silver serving pieces the better. Even backyard crab feasts took on an air of elegance, before she demonstrated her expert and thorough crab picking techniques.

            Julie may be the last of our generation to know the secrets of Grammy’s special layer cake with that remarkable bitter chocolate dripped icing. There are many, many more food memories, stories and events that are now sadly part of history. I sure miss my food-sharing and food-loving sister. Happy Birthday Julie!

Ted

Some (Overdue) Thoughts on Julie Morgan

October 15, 2020

It is the 15th of October 2020. I have visited this site at least 20 times since Julie's passing and each visit I have not been able to put my own thoughts down well enough to stand in posterity next to the articulate remembrances of others that have already put postings here.

I struggle with her passing. After 5 months and 12 days, I am going to try to put something (entirely inadequate) below.

******

Julie Morgan had the greatest ability to command a room I have ever seen. If she had shared the stage with Steve Jobs during the original Iphone reveal, no one would have known Steve was in the room.

With Bill Morgan, Julie raised two sons.

One a graduate (sometimes student body president) of prestigious schools throughout his life and a successful high stakes litigator in public endeavors (as an Asst. U.S. Attorney) and now in private practice.

The other (my best friend and brother at this point) now a near 20 year active duty, decorated, United States Marine Corps officer.

Both sons are BEYOND impressive their normal lives. Both shrank (along with me) when we all enjoyed going home to visit Julie. Compared to Julie's point in (whatever) conversation we were all having; I had the rank of the stuffed bear in the living room. We all did. But the thing was, she never insisted on this sentiment. She probably never knew I (we) thought of her this way. But we did - I certainly did. She was the best.

She could move like gracious mercury from humor to unexpected insistence on small (sometimes arbitrary) things and then back to an easy sense of laissez faire master (madam?) of evening ceremonies. Julie told me once to change out of a normal t-shirt because it did not meet her (never before announced) standards of 11pm thanksgiving night attire (I dutifully changed immediately with a smile and an apology to her). That is what you did.

Julie always retained a genuine interest in others that she was interested in.   She had a surprising ability to recall (your / my) small life things told to her in passing one or two holidays ago - and wanted an update on those things. With a waive of her finger, she would call me to the dining room table, away from the rest of the party, for a 1 on 1 update on the small thing I had told her last Thanksgiving. She cared, she paid attention. For me, this kind of act is a yardstick of decency and class. Julie Morgan was always genuine, and was one of most decent, classy people out there.

I meant this to be a positive note. Perhaps above I have been complimentary, honest but also melancholy.

In the hopes of salvaging my objective, I'll end by saying that I remain heartbroken with Julie's passing. I am happy and proud that I left nothing unsaid between she and I.   I appreciated her input / feedback to me on every conversation topic I ever put on her dining room table - sometimes they were topics I didn't feel comfortable speaking to anyone else about - - especially toward the end of our time together.

Thank you Julie. This will be a tough first thanksgiving without you.

Cookies are disabled :(

Tributes

Leave a Tribute

Invite others to Julia's website: