Julia A Avonovich (Grenchus)

Julia Agnes Avonovich, 97, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2017 at the Commons in Grand Junction, CO after a long life complete with many beautiful memories.

Julia was born May 7, 1919 in Mechanicville, New York to Peter and Margaret (Urbaetis) Grenchus. She graduated from St. Patrick’s School in Watervliet, NY and Catholic Central High School in Troy, N.Y.

She eloped with the love of her life, Joseph Avonovich, on March 23, 1940. Together they operated a neighborhood grocery store in Watervliet for 15 years. In 1966 she became a library assistant for the State of NY Dept. of Education.

Retirement years in Latham NY were spent with travel, (she especially loved the trips to Maine for lobster) and visits to family. Julia was “born to shop” and had fashion sense all her own. She was active at St. Patrick’s Church.

In 2008 she moved to Grand Junction to be near her surviving daughters Jean (Richard) Buchan of Parachute, CO and Marie (Richard) Heroux of Montrose, CO. She always remained a New Yorker at heart and a loyal Yankees fan.

Julia was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Grand Junction and had a special devotion to Divine Mercy and the Rosary.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Joseph; brothers Edward and Paul Grenchus; Grandson Matthew Heroux and Great Granddaughter Rachael Lynn Fiftal. She is survived by her daughters; sister, Mary Ann Coneski of Latham, NY; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and special family friend William Nestork of VT.