Julie was born February 7, 1959, in East St. Louis, the daughter of Jean Lee, née Moreland, and Francis Patrick “Pat” Lee.
She graduated from Althoff Catholic High School and married her beloved husband, Robert “Bob” Anderson in 1978. Julie found unending pride and joy in her two daughters, Melissa (born 1978) and Ellie (born 2005). She was a steadfast softball fan, traveling across the country to cheer at Ellie’s games. Julie was also a surrogate mom for countless godchildren, friends, and family members, who each held a place in her heart. As a daycare preschool teacher at Jack & Jill Child Care Development Center, Learning Journey Daycare, and St. Henry’s Creative Learning Center, Julie delighted in caring for children and watching them grow. She loved animals (especially her dogs), would try any craft, and always posted wacky recipes to Facebook, whether or not she ended up making the meal. Julie loved old TV shows and movies, especially I Love Lucy, Meet Me in St. Louis, and The Sound of Music. She brought at least three homemade desserts to every party and—like any good Midwesterner—never met a Jell-O salad she didn’t love. She also enjoyed singing along with the radio—everything from country to Christmas music—and spending time in the yard, where she was on a never-ending quest for the perfect fairy garden. Julie’s favorite thing was spending time with people she loved, and her heart and home were open to all who knew her. Her generous, loving spirit and ready laugh will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Jean Lee and Pat Lee.
Julie is survived by her husband, Bob Anderson of Belleville;
her daughters, Melissa Anderson (Mary Maxfield) of St. Louis, MO, and Ellie Anderson of Belleville;
her brothers, Kevin (Nancy) Lee of Dupo, Tim (Julia) Lee of Belleville, and Scott (Donna) Lee of Swansea;
and beloved nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Brad) Wallace, Kim Kieskalt, John Kieskalt, Tim Lee Jr., Patrick Lee, Amanda Lee, and Ariana Lee.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family’s GoFundMe – https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-andersons or to the family through George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Nancy Spier-Lee officiating.
According to Julie’s wishes, cremation was held.