Julia May Holmes, 86, died Oct. 2, 2024 at Winship Green in Bath.

Julia was born Oct. 22, 1937 in Boothbay Harbor to Lermond E. Giles and Avis Doughty Giles. She was known as “Boodie” to her family and close friends. She was one of nine children. She grew up in Boothbay on Back Narrows Road, and attended local schools. She was a homemaker and organizer of family and friends gatherings all of her life. She orchestrated plays for the local Back Narrows kids.

She was active all of her life, working in her huge garden, making homemade doughnuts, pies, and cooking. She especially enjoyed cooking big family dinners during the holidays. 

She loved making crafts for Easter and Christmas. She would show her crafts and craft fairs, and loved going to other craft fairs to see what others had made for the holidays. Julia was very particular about getting the “right” Christmas tree every year. She also hosted many gatherings, and beano nights for the neighborhood ladies as a time to have fun. 

She ran the Burger Barn on Back Narrows Road for 10 years. She was well known for being strong willed, and to follow her protocol. She truly ruled the roost. She loved traveling annually to Pennsylvania with her husband, Robert Holmes, in their camper. She also enjoyed camping with her family at Sennebec Lake in Union, and later at Seven Tree Pond in Union.  

Julia was a very thoughtful person who baked for her neighbors in need and also invited many friends and neighbors to family dinners.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Holmes; son, Terry Holmes; brothers, Lenwood and George Giles; sisters, Irene Poole, Priscilla Bryer, Pauline Wylie and Leta Bryer. 

She is survived by her daughter, Juanita Holmes and her sons,(grandsons) Ryan and Michael,all of Boothbay; Terry’s daughters (granddaughters) Ivy and Julia Holmes of Boothbay and Maine; sisters, Jean Cunningham of Boothbay and Judith Owen of Boothbay; several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews. 

A service to celebrate Julia’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay with burial to follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Boothbay.