Dickinson Julia 19920427

Recorded: 4/27/1992
--
Obituary:
EMPIRE - Julia Terry Dickinson, 98, of Empire, died Feb. 6, 2008, at the Maple Valley Nursing Home with her family by her side.
Julia was born on March 2, 1909, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Horace and Blanche Terry. She married Frederick W. Dickinson on July 25, 1942, at their Glen Lake home. Julia was a teacher, librarian, author, reporter, homemaker and mother of three children.
Julia was graduated Cum Laude from both Maryville College, Tennessee, with a BA degree in English and Syracuse University, New York, with a BS degree in Library Science. She taught high school English in Dayton, Ohio, then later at Empire, Leland, and Glen Lake schools. For three years she was the librarian at Finch Junior College in New York City. She held the position of librarian for two years at The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor. Julia organized the library for the newly-established Interlochen Arts Academy and established the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire. Julia's own collection of books brought her many pleasurable hours of reading. She had an intense interest in genealogy and spent a great deal of time tracing her family history.
Julia became involved in Girl Scouting during her high school years, and later with her longtime friend Skipper Keyser. In 1938, Skipper and Julia - along with two other companions - went on an adventurous month-long trip in the Canadian wilderness, canoeing down the Mississaugi River in Ontario. Eventually Julia, with Dorothy Lanham, activated a Girl Scout program in the Glen Lake area.
Julia moved to Leelanau County in 1941, where her parents had vacationed since 1922, and was employed by the Leelanau Enterprise in Leland. Her salary was $12 per week and included the use of the editor's car. She lived above the print shop at the edge of Lake Michigan in Leland, where she enjoyed the sunsets over the Manitou Islands. She loved her newspaper work, her bib overalls and flannel shirts covered with printer's ink.
In 1943, she and her husband Fred purchased the Leelanau Enterprise, which they published until 1949. She wrote the popular weekly column, "Leelanau Lookout," in which she discussed historical notes, family and community life, current happenings and descriptions on the beauty of Leelanau County. Julia's love for writing began during her early school years; she won awards in poetry and prose. She was an accomplished writer. Her "Story of Leelanau," a brief history, was published in 1951 by Solle's Bookshop of Omena.
Julia's adventurous spirit reflected her love of exploring, taking her children over old logging trails on picnics, and discovering secluded inland lakes in Leelanau County. In 1970, she and her friend Jo Bolton began digging for bottles in old homestead dumps. They explored the old mill town of Norway Town in Empire, spending many happy hours locating bottles and artifacts along the shore of Lake Michigan. Together they wrote a booklet "Dig," describing and identifying early bottles and artifacts. In 1972 they used their treasures to start a museum in Empire. This effort eventually led to the opening of the Empire Historical Museum in 1976. With her work and guidance, the museum group published "Some Other Day," a 100-page book of Empire history. She assisted with the bi-annual publication, "Empire History Notes." Julia transcribed 150 Civil War era letters found in a homestead in Glen Arbor, and with the assistance of Jo Bolton and Julia's daughter Grace, put together a book "The Boizard Letters," which the museum published in 1993. Today, under the direction of David Taghon, the Empire Area Heritage Group manages the diverse museum that serves three townships.
Known for her work with the Glen Lake Woman's Club, Julia was president from 1972-74. She hosted the annual Women's Club Christmas party in her home for 19 years. She also hosted Christmas parties in her home for the faculties of Glen Lake School and The Leelanau School.
During their retirement, Julia and Fred traveled throughout the U.S., enjoying its beauty and history. Julia's love for the natural world was central to her life. She marveled at the changing seasons. She loved the emerging spring wildflowers, songbirds, migration of the Canadian geese and the moods of her beloved Lake Michigan.
Julia was a warm-hearted, lovely person, a friend to everyone, and a wonderful community-minded worker. Julia was a true patriot and held great respect for her country.
Julia enjoyed living in her Glen Lake home for 65 years. Her last two weeks were spent with the generous and caring staff of the Maple Valley Nursing Home.
Surviving Julia are her three children, Grace Dickinson Johnson of Glen Lake, William Frederick Dickinson of Empire, and Terry (Pierre) Michel of Benzonia; three grandsons, Frederick, Timothy and Cory; and two great-grandchildren, Liam and Mia.
Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick; and a grandson, Luke.