Julia L. Bergquist, 94, of Brunswick died in her home in the loving care of her family on April 14.

Julia was born in Searsport, Maine to Wyman and Eloise Lewis Ladd on Thanksgiving day, November 30, 1922. Julia spent her early childhood in the Searsport-Belfast area before moving with her mother back to their family home on Sawyer's Island in Boothbay. At the time, her grandparents owned and operated the Sawyer’s Island House Hotel. Julia went to Boothbay Harbor High School graduating with honors in 1940. She went on to earn her degree in secretarial science at Boston University, graduating in 1942.

While living in Jamaica Plain with her aunt and uncle, Julia met her first husband, Paul Trachik, who she married on February 8, 1945. She was married to Paul for 32 years until his death in 1977. They had three children, Paul Junior, Patricia and Joanne.

Julia worked for 20 years as a legal secretary for J. Blenn Perkins in Boothbay Harbor. In 1972 Julia lost 112 pounds with the Weight Watchers program and became a lecturer for the group, leading three classes in Boothbay Harbor, Damariscotta, and the program's largest class in Rockland, which had over 200 members during Julia’s tenure.

In 1974 Julia made a career change and started working for Weight Watchers full time as state supervisor traveling all over the state and in charge of 75 lecturers and classes.

In 1982, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Bergquist. Julia and Kenneth were married for 35 years. They traveled across country by car twice a year spending winters in California with Kenneth’s children and summers in Maine at Julia’s family home on Sawyer’s Island. Many happy times were spent at the island with their friends and family until they moved to Brunswick full time in 2004. Julia and Kenneth were well known for volunteering for A Paw in the Door cat rescue group of Bath for over 25 years.

Julia is survived by her beloved husband Kenneth; her son, Paul Gregory Trachik; her daughters, Patty Sample Colwell and Joanne Trachik Adams; Kenneth’s children, Karen Bergquist, Nancy Holihan, Craig and Scott Bergquist; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her special grand dog, Pepper, who was always at her side.

In keeping with Julia’s wishes there will be a private memorial gathering on Sawyer’s Island this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to A Paw in the Door, 16 Winter Street, Bath, ME 04530.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to CHANS Home Health Care & Hospice for their exceptional care and support in her final days.