Julia C. Wolff

Julia Cecelia Wolff, 94, of Pennside, died at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center on January 18, 2021. Daughter of the late Stanley and Cecelia (nee Poziemski) Janikowski, she lived her entire life in Reading, PA, attended St. Mary’s grade school and Southern Junior High. She graduated 13th in her class of 568 from Reading High School. Born in 1926, she lived through the Great Depression and World War II, worked as a secretary at Althouse Chemical, and met husband-to-be and U.S. Marine Jim Wolff at the Ingy Pingy Polka Club. Jim and Julia were married for 66 years and the polkas continued until his death in 2014. Julia dedicated her life to caring for her husband and four children. She held several jobs, including those at the IP Muller Company and Pomeroy’s Department Store as a sales clerk and in Human Resources. Volunteer activities included the Junior Catholic Women’s Club (awarded Clubwoman of the Year in 1961), Cub Scouts Den Mother, Camp Fire Girls Bluebird Leader, St. Catherine’s Home School Organization Secretary, and Central Catholic Women’s Club. She was a loyal parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena parish until her death.
She will be remembered for her love of family and her value for education. She ensured that each of her four children graduated from college - something that she had wanted to do but could not. Her faith remained constant and unwavering all her life. Travel became especially treasured; she attended many reunions of the A17 Marines with her husband. And wow! Could she dance - whether to Frankie Yankovic, Tommy Dorsey, or Elvis Presley.
Julia is survived by her children: Robert Wolff (Pennside), William Wolff, husband of Joan (Dresher, PA), Kathy Wolff, wife of Mark Matthews (Philadephia, PA), and Mary Heydt, wife of Leon Heydt (Fleetwood, PA); and four grandchildren, Amanda Todaro and husband Dave; Alana Heydt; Matthew Wolff and wife Emily; and Marielle Heydt. She is also survived by two step grandchildren, Jason Matthews and wife Stila, and Nicole Hope Matthews and partner Walt Breslin; and her step great grandchildren Evi Marie, Aidan, Naomi, Ella, CC, and Annie. Her two brothers, Casimir (Florida) and Stanley/Stas (Michigan) and several nieces and nephews survive her as well. Two sisters, Jessie Sockel and Frances Blekicki, predeceased her.
A warm and sincere thank you to the staff of St. Joseph Medical Center and Compassus Hospice, who provided warm and competent care during the COVID pandemic. Visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 11:00 am in St. Catharine of Sienna R.C.C. 4975 Boyertown Pike, Exeter 19606. Interment in Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the church or LUNGevity at LUNGevity.org. Lutz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com.