Julie Walsh Seiler

TUPELO – Julie Walsh Seiler, 64, died December 23 at The Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo following an extended illness.

The saying, “Some people make the world brighter just by being in it” is how Julie lived. She saw goodness in everyone she met even if she didn't know them well. She was a Christian disciple and mentor of kindness in the fullest sense. Her Southern charm, grace, and authenticity drew people to her. She made a beautiful, lasting impression on those she met, even if it was only once. Those whose lives Julie touched, are so very blessed. She truly made a difference in this world.

Julie was a loving, caring wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend. No matter what she was going through personally she always had time to talk with the person in need and help them or just be present and listen. Her words of wisdom have helped many.

Julie was born on April 24, 1958 in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of the late George Walsh and the late Lee Purnell Walsh.

Julie was a graduate of Tupelo High School, where she was valedictorian and an honor student. She attended the University of Illinois, following in her grand parents’ and parents’ footsteps with her brothers to follow. She was an avid Illini fan, member of Kappa Delta sorority, serving as House President, and Sponsor and advisor of Mortar Board, and interned with the University of Illinois Foundation.  Julie was a life member of the Illinois Alumni Association.

Upon graduation, Julie worked for the University of Illinois Foundation in their capital campaign as a National Development Associate.  She moved back to Mississippi and worked in Tupelo and Jackson for First Bank / DGNB of Tupelo.

Julie returned to Illinois in 1989, and worked as Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Affairs/Chicago, College of Commerce and Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When she accepted the position as Senior Associate Director, Cancer Initiative, with the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, Julie moved to Indianapolis and met Jim via a blind date set-up by Jim’s mother and one of Julie’s friends. Jim and Julie were married in Tupelo on April 23, 1994.

When Julie started working for Indiana University’s Bloomington campus, she and Jim moved to Martinsville where their two sons, George and Henry, were born. She continued in fundraising with the Community Foundation of Morgan County and then in 1999, she switched careers went back to school for Montessori training and started a Parent-Child class at the Catholic church’s preschool classroom and  at-risk youth programs with the Martinsville YMCA. Julie was also the YMCA Summer Camp Director and YMCA T-Ball Director.

Julie returned to Tupelo with her family in 2006 where she continued to be involved with Montessori education and public education, after obtaining her Mississippi Teachers Certification via the MAPQT program.

Julie dearly loved her husband, Jim, and her boys, George and Henry. She was an engaged and active parent. She supported all the schools her children attended – academic and band fundraisers as well as, sports support groups. Julie was extremely proud of George and Henry’s accomplishments and their participation in the youth sports and Boy Scouts.

She was an active, faithful member, Deacon, and Board Moderator of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago and active with Habitat for Humanity.  Later she was active with the First-Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.  She was on the Deacons board of the Presbyterian Church of Martinsville and integral part of the building expansion team. When she returned to Tupelo, she once again became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo, where she served in Adult and Youth education, Worship and Fellowship committees.  She loved cooking with the Marthas, Circle fellowship, Bible study groups and many book clubs through the years.

Nearly everything that Julie enjoyed revolved around relationships and she loved so many things ….having fun and laughing, sports of all kinds but especially her Fighting Illini and St. Louis Cardinals, reading books, learning new things and sharing it with the world, cooking, baking, and hosting wonderful dinner parties (usually on Tupelo time) for her friends and extended family, live music, traveling, flowers, gardening, spending time with her family & friends, and her dogs Belle, Chief, and Murry. Her favorite season was Christmas time – she created the most magical, beautiful tree full of twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments.

Julie was preceded in death by her daughter Mae Walsh Seiler, her parents George and Lee Walsh, and her niece Ashley Walsh. She is survived by her husband Jim Seiler, of Tupelo; boys: George Robert Seiler and Henry Scott Seiler, daughter in-law Katelyn McCarty Seiler of Tupelo; brothers: Mark Walsh, sister in-law Betsy Bristow Walsh of Roanoke, Va., and Scott Walsh of Tupelo; nephews: Parker Alexander Walsh and William Taylor Walsh (wife Jesse) and great niece Charlie.

Visitation will be from 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday, January 6, in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo. 

Memorial Service will be at 2 pm. Saturday, January 7, with one hour of visitation preceding the service, at the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo. The Reverend Ron Richardson will officiate. There will be a live web-cast on the YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@firstprestupelo8644/streams).

Pegues Funeral Directors of Tupelo is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to the Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801. https://secure.paperlesstrans.com/sanctuaryhospicehouse

This obituary was created with the excellent help of Julie's friends, Jean, Meg & Patti  with final edits by  husband, Jim.