JULIA W. DRINKWATER

ROXBURY- Mrs. Julia (Willmott) Drinkwater passed away after a brief illness on Monday August 29, 2011 at New Milford Hospital. She was 94.

Mrs. Drinkwater was an accomplished secretary and office manager (she never stopped making notes in shorthand), homemaker, cook, seamstress and above all a mother who always focused on taking care of her family. Her ability to find the positives in life will serve all who follow her. Her gift for poetry expressed in her poems on hand-made cards for every holiday, will be missed by all.

Mrs. Drinkwater was born on April 11, 1917 in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, the daughter of James H. and Charlotte (Strachan) Willmott. Her family moved to Greenwich, CT, where she was the salutatorian of her high school graduating class.
She and John Hamilton Drinkwater were married on April 20, 1949 at St. Mary's Church in Greenwich, CT. Mrs. Drinkwater also resided in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY; Hinsdale, IL; and Venice, FL. Following the death of her husband John in September 2003, she moved to Roxbury ,CT.

Mrs. Drinkwater is survived by her children, John Hamilton Drinkwater, Jr., of Sherman Oaks, CA, Denise Drinkwater of St. Louis, MO ;and Richard P. Crowley and his wife Luz N. of Roxbury, CT ;four grandchildren, Kevin Crowley of Bethel, CT; Gerald Crowley and wife Katherine of Cheshire, CT; Richard Crowley, Jr. and wife Heather of Woodbury, MN; and Patrick Crowley and wife Sarah of Middlebury, CT; six great grandchildren, Lydia Marie, Ryan, Hannah, Ashton, Catherine and Sean Crowley. Also her sister in-law Doady Drinkwater and family of Dallas, TX; two nephews, James Willmott and family of Marstons Mills, MA and David Willmott of Scituate, MA. Also surviving are lifelong friends Richard Salvatore of Greenwich, CT and Karen Dustin of Randolph, VT and special friend Livia Fiordelisi of Woodbury, CT.

Mrs. Drinkwater was predeceased by her husband John, her sister Evelyn Willmott, brother James (Bud) and his wife Barbara Willmott, brothers in-law Thomas, Henry and Lincoln Drinkwater and sister in-law Betty D. Marr.
They took the blue of the sky for your eyes, The gold of the sun for your hair, The glorious hue of a full-blown rose for your blushes passing fair. With an elfin dash for your quaint dear ways, and the grace of the nymph Diane, they made you and sent you to light our days, all the lilt, all the life of pan. By Evelyn Willmott, 1929.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of New Milford and Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation for their care and the many kindnesses given to Mrs. Drinkwater. The Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St. is assisting with private arrangements. Online condolences may be made through www.munsonloveterefuneral.com.

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: Services will be private.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.