Kinnadoohy, Killadoon, Louisburgh, Co Mayo and Ballymena, Co Antrim
Julia was one of five children born on May 20, 1939 to parents William McMillan and Mary Baxter in Ahoghill, Ballymena, Co Antrim. Sadly her father passed away in his forties leaving her mother Mary to raise herself, three sisters Lilian, Alice, Sylvia and brother Jack.
Julia went on to qualify as a nurse in England before settling in Blackburn, where she met her husband John Frazer at a funfair. They married on St Patrick’s Day in 1962 in Blackburn. It wasn’t long before Rosemary came along and a letter from Mayo to come back home and take over the farm. Even though it broke both their hearts to leave friends and a good life behind, they headed for the West. Julia went on to have six more children. Life on a small farm wasn’t easy but she raised her family on what they had and never complained. The green glens of Antrim was never far away from Julia’s thoughts. She sang and talked about home many times and loved her visits there. Six hours in the car didn’t bother her. As she got close, the Northern accent got stronger. She never lost it. Her deep faith got her through the death of her husband John in 2010. Nine years later she lost her son John at the early age of fifty years. She tried her best to keep her spirits up and carried on. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her and they were blessed to have her in their lives. She spent hours with either her prayer books or quiz books. Country music was her passion. She loved weddings, social outings and sing songs, late into the night. Even though she had a sound mind, her body let her down and she passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on July 16, 2022. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her son James, daughters Rose McNamara, Nora Kerrigan, Ann, Tina and Alice, daughter-in-law Allison, son-in-law Gerry Kerrigan, Alice’s partner, Alan Heanue, her nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, sister Sylvia, sisters-in-law, Criss and Bridgie, nieces, nephews, cousins and a large circle of friends. May her gentle and kind soul rest in peace.