Julia Wilson Schwalenstocker
March 22, 1943 – February 2, 2025

Julia "Julie" Wilson Schwalenstocker passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her husband at her home in Flagstaff, AZ, on February 2, 2025. She was 81.

Julie was a gentle and generous soul who was always there for others: quick to offer a friendly ear, a place to stay, rides to appointments and grocery stores, moral support through medical procedures, or a home for stray or unwanted dogs. She cut off her beautiful silver hair more than once for Locks of Love. She was a loving and caring second mother to friends and family who needed her and she loved organizing birthday parties for friends.

Julie was born to Bates E. Wilson and Edith A. Wilson in Ajo, AZ, on March 22, 1943. She grew up in Moab, UT, where her father was the superintendent of what was then Arches National Monument. She had many happy memories of living in the 'little rock house' and exploring with her father the area that would later become Canyonlands National Park.

Julie graduated from Moab's Grand County High School in the class of 1961 and remained close to many of her classmates through the years. She attended the University of Utah as a dance major and then as a young mother, she spent time in Oregon and Washington focused on caring for her son. She studied and taught yoga for several years in the area. She taught senior citizen exercise classes and then began volunteering in physical therapy clinics and rehabilitation facilities in the Northwest and in Pune, India.

Returning to Arizona, she earned two bachelor's degrees and her master's in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University while continuing to teach yoga on campus. From 1993 until her retirement, Julie worked as a physical therapist throughout northern Arizona, including at Flagstaff Medical Center and facilities in Ganado, Payson, Kingman, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and Sedona. She incorporated her yoga training into her practice and was especially devoted to helping elderly patients, who loved her for her gentle kindness and patience.

Always a dreamer, she saw a need while working in home health and started her own company devoted to teaching and advising on concepts of universal design and accessibility. She worked with the Northern Arizona Builders Association and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to raise awareness of these concepts.

Julie cared about the quality of life in Flagstaff and was always involved with the neighborhood groups. A passionate believer in social justice, she volunteered for the Coconino Democrats, the Flagstaff City Commission on Disability Awareness, the East Flagstaff Focused Future Group, and Flagstaff Habitat for Humanity.

Julie loved Chinese New Year, tending her flower gardens, and basketball; she was a regular at NAU women's games and would not go out for her birthday unless it was to a sports bar with lots of TVs. She had a quiet, ready laugh and a lovely, radiant smile.

Julie was preceded in death by her son, Roger Burton. She is survived by her husband, George Schwalenstocker; her brother Alan "Tug" D. Wilson; her sisters Caroline "Cindy" C. Wilson, Anne (Peter Lawson) Wilson, and Lynn Wilson (Ben) Fredregill; and her numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her and George's family and her many friends.

A celebration of Julie's life will be held at her home in Flagstaff on May 17, 2025 in the afternoon.