Julia Paljetak

Julia, or Julie, as she prefers to be called has been a resident at The Pointe for a little over 2 years. A lifelong resident of the Chicago area, Julie lived in Orland Park a short time before moving into The Pointe. Given her history of travel, adventure, and having been known to jump into a pool fully clothed from time to time (just to cool off!), she was given the nickname, “Mrs. Fun” by her family. Julie was looking for a place to live that had a strong social environment; one in which she could make new friends and participate in various activities. Julie found both at The Pointe and has been happy with her decision.

Born in Chicago, both of Julie’s parents were immigrants from Croatia who couldn’t read or write English. Her upbringing was typical of the era, with her mother at home raising her and her 7 brothers and sisters. Her father was a strict but loving man who worked as a bricklayer. Julie describes their house as “always lively”, with lots of commotion. If you were acting out of turn, Pa would give you a dreaded knuckle to the head. Her sister still resides, to this day, in the house on Wells Street that they were all born in.

Julie attended college, taking several courses at Northwestern, DePaul, and worked at IIT, eventually becoming a legal secretary in downtown Chicago. It was at the Illinois Institute of Technology that she met dear friends who introduced her to her favorite activity of snow skiing, which started her love of adventure. With her beloved Ski Club, she took many train rides to Colorado. Her Ski Club members would remain lifelong friends. Julie was considered quite the rebel amongst her peers in her very traditional neighborhood of mostly immigrants, where the average woman didn’t do such things as traveling and skiing. Her father would not even allow his daughter to ride bicycles. He deemed viewed it as not “ladylike”. She was one of the first women to wear trousers, instead of a skirt. She was quite the trendsetter at the time.

While preparing to leave for a trip to Croatia to see a sick uncle, Julie met the man who would be her future husband. They were introduced by a friend at the Chicago lakefront near the Adler Planetarium in 1960. It was a popular gathering spot in the summer. George was new to this country, arriving from Croatia 3 years earlier. He was impressed, not only by her being able to speak Croatian, but by her enthusiasm for adventure, as well as her knowledge of American history. George loved anything American. Julia was smitten by his good looks and worldly demeanor, since he had traveled the world as a Merchant Marine. There wasn’t a country he hadn’t been to. She thought he very interesting to talk to, and they talked for hours that night. When she told him she was leaving soon for Europe, he asked her to deliver a package to his sister. She thought he had a lot of nerve. She left a few days later and while deciding to see as much as she could while there, a few weeks eventually turned into a whole year! In that year, she saw Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Italy, and of course Croatia. It was a trip that would change and define her life. It instilled in her a love of everything European. It was the first of many trips she would make to Croatia, the latest being as recent as 2005. She would recount these memories and stories to her family for years and years to come.

In 1966, she eventually married George at St. Jerome Church in Chicago, vowing that she would never marry just to be married, only when she was truly ready. She knew life with George would never be dull. They enjoyed each other’s company and loved singing/dancing together. They also enjoyed boating on Lake Michigan, given George’s love of the water. They were quite romantic. George would recite Shakespeare, in Croatian nonetheless, to Julie. In 1971, their daughter, Debbie, was born. She was the light of their lives and they doted on her. Although blessed with only one, Julie loved children and was known to pack every kid in the neighborhood into her station wagon for some fun adventures. She was a devoted wife and mother. After George suffered a stroke at age 47, Julie spent the next 20 years taking care of him in their home, as well as working full time as a legal secretary downtown. George was a dialysis patient for 12 years, but with their wheelchair accessible van, she took him everywhere and anywhere. She was known to say “If I can get a wheelchair there, we’re going!” Nothing was off limits. Their favorite place still being the lakefront, they would go see the Tall Ships or Taste of Chicago. They loved being out and about until his death in 2000. The loss of George was the hardest part of her life. 

A devout Catholic, her beloved St. Jerome Church in Bridgeport is the central hub of her life. Most parishioners have attended for 3 and 4 generations. As well as working in the rectory, she has been a member of the Choir there for over 50 years. There is no place she enjoys going to more. Julie loves to help others and has acted as a social worker for immigrants who have difficulty with the English language. She tirelessly has helped others in need. In the Croatian community, she is referred to as a real life “Mother Theresa”, an angel here on earth. When the bible said to treat others with kindness, she truly practices it. She treats everyone she meets with the utmost respect…be it man, woman or child.

Julia’s daughter, Debbie remains very involved in her mother’s life at The Pointe. Quite frequently you will see her bringing Julia’s grandchildren, Juliana (named after her grandmother) and Jack, to visit. They call Julia “Babi”. Julia loves them more than words can say and they adore her right back. 

Though physically unable to be as active as she once was, Julie still loves to keep busy and is always looking to make new friends. She still gets up early and looks forward to the day’s events, taking advantage of all of the various activities and programs The Pointe offers. She really enjoys the many musical and dance performances that take place at The Pointe on a regular basis. She can’t help but break into a dance whenever she hears lively music. Her family jokes that whenever Julia feels tired just play her some Croatian music and she’ll perk right up.

She will be celebrating her 84th birthday on January 9th!

Both residents and staff are blessed to have Julie as a friend and neighbor.