Julie M. Bloom – June 7, 2021

Julie M. Bloom, age 85 of Colorado Springs, Co, passed away on June 7, 2021, at Penrose Hospital from complications of throat cancer. She was often compared to Doris Day for her bright smile, optimistic nature and sunny disposition. Julie could be quietly strong willed, impatient and stubborn but was always willing to lend a hand or offer tips to improve your golf swing. She adored spending time with family and friends and sharing a good meal.

Born Julie Ann Maybury in Bradford, Pa on July 26, 1935, she grew up under the care of her parents, “Gerry and Gerri,” Gerald Maybury and Geraldine McCleary Maybury in a beautiful small town in northern Pennsylvania. She was an only child but had many friends, a fact that continued throughout her life. As a child, Julie was a strong-willed tomboy who spent most of her time outside, playing sports and games. She said she was especially proficient at marbles. Julie could also be found helping out in her father’s stationery store after school or target shooting at her Uncle Tommy’s “camp.”

Julie attended Penn State University where she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority, earned a business degree and developed a love of college sports (We Are Penn State).  She lived for several years in Pittsburgh, Pa. where her two children were born. Julie and family lived in Virginia from 1965 – 1998 with amazing neighbors and friends on Greeley Blvd. including the Chittendens, Richardsons, Floyds, Dezers and Coutures.

Julie was an excellent golfer and spent much of her time on the links and playing in tournaments at Springfield Golf & Country Club where she nurtured (but often still beat) younger players. She was active in the Women’s District Golf Association with many friends including Kirk Putman and Ellen McGowen. Julie won numerous crystal and silver-plated golf trophies throughout her life, including winning her flight in the Virginia State Golf Association Amateur Championship. Julie’s other interests and hobbies included bridge, knitting, watching sports at all levels, keeping up with the news, being outside, reading, book clubs, skiing, gardening, eating Maryland blue crabs & stuffed grape leaves and travel. She was excellent at all of these endeavors and could discuss at length her thoughts on the personnel of her favorite professional sports teams, The Washington Football Team, Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets. Julie especially loved to record and then watch televised games and matches of any kind so she could zip through the commercials.

Julie and John met at Friday Night Couples Golf in 1986 and married in 1989 on the first tee of the Springfield Golf Course in Springfield, Va. They shared many interests in addition to golf, including sports, bridge, skiing and travel. They both retired before moving to Colorado Springs in 1998 to be near children and grandchildren. Over the years, they kept in close touch with their East Coast friends and family through phone calls, emails and visits. They quickly became integrated into their Colorado neighborhood and made many friends in Gleneagle, Monument and Woodmoor at the north end of Colorado Springs. Julie was an active member of the Gleneagle Women’s Club and participated in a variety of bridge groups and book clubs. Julie was a competitive bridge player and formidable opponent.  She and her bridge partner, Sandra Coffee, often dominated the duplicate bridge circuit, with Julie being adept at playing well the “hand she was dealt” as good as anyone, according to bridge pal Janet Joseph. She never stopped improving her game, enjoying the bridge challenge in the Sunday edition of The Colorado Springs Gazette and the fun, three-hour learning sessions she participated in every Monday morning with Janet Joseph, Sandra Coffee and Myrna Brewer.

Julie and John were big fans of sports at the United States Air Force Academy. They unofficially sponsored Cadet Kyle Hubert after his parents, Barb and John, stayed with them under the SERTOMA “Bed & Breakfast” program. One visit turned into many. That’s how Julie was; to meet her was to become her friend.

Julie worked at American Management Association in Washington, D.C. as a customer service representative, where she met Ann Kier and Barbara Krist. She worked alongside them for nearly two decades. The three quickly became close friends and often traveled together along with another good friend, Donna Colver.  After Julie and John moved to Colorado, Ann Kier and Julie maintained their close friendship through weekly Wednesday afternoon phone calls that meant so much to Julie.

Even more important than her job was her volunteer work. In addition to many hours spent organizing golf tournaments in Virginia and Colorado, Julie co-founded the Colorado Springs ALS Support Group with her daughter in honor of her brother-in-law, Bill Hemsing, who passed away from the disease in 1999. She ran the group for 19 years, retiring from her leadership position in 2019. Julie hosted weekly support group meetings and participated in or organized special events such as fundraising, ALS charity walks, caregiver support nights, holiday dinners and summer picnics. As an animal lover, she spent many hours with her grand-dogs, Jake, Dodger and Vinnie in Bear Creek Dog Park. Along with her daughter, Julie volunteered at El Paso County’s premier park every Saturday during the “off-season” to help keep the park clean and beautiful.

Julie is survived by her loving husband, John R. Bloom. She had two children from a previous marriage to Henry F. Hemsing III: Rick Hemsing (Leslie) of Herndon, Va. and Amy Long (Stephen) of Colorado Springs. She had three stepchildren whom she adored: Debbie Bloom (Tom Humphreys), David Bloom and Doug Bloom. And she had three grandchildren whom she cherished: Amanda Nary (Eli), Haley Long and Brenna Long. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Hemsing and Nancy’s children, Tara Hemsing, Brant Hemsing (Dina) and Tracy Gottheardt (Chris). Julie loved getting updates on Brant’s son, Nathan, and Tracy’s son, Will. She was predeceased by Henry F. Hemsing III, her brother-in-law, parents and uncles, Tommy Maybury and Stanley McCleary.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late August; friends and family will be notified in the coming weeks. As much as Julie loved flowers, with yellow roses being her favorite, the best way to honor her would be a donation to either the ALS Association – Rocky Mountain Chapter or the Bear Creek Dog Park. Julie was a treasure and a light for so many. She will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known her.