Obituary of Julie Ann Viola

Julie Viola It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our beloved daughter, Julie Ann Viola, age 44, passed away on November 15, 2016, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She was born in Manhasset, NY on August 13, 1972 where she grew up and attended high school, class of 1990. She received a B.A. Degree in Education and an M.A. Degree in Administration from the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University. For 20 years, Julie was an elementary school teacher at PS 100 in Ozone Park, Queens, where she taught Kindergarten through 3rd grade and loved working with her fellow teachers and students. She was certified to be a Reading Specialist and participated in the city-wide pilot program to work with targeted students to bring their level of proficiency up to their grade average. Julie was very active and loved to take on a challenge. In 2009, she ran the Chicago Half Marathon during a torrential rainstorm that had the highest rain accumulation in recorded Chicago history, finishing the race in less than 3 hours. At the age of 33, she was diagnosed with a rare salivary gland cancer for which there was no cure. Many people were inspired with the way she battled forward, surviving the odds with her powerful attitude and outlook. She organized a group of supporters to join her at the Walk for Cancer, in Bethpage, NY, raising $6,500, and was honored for collecting the highest amount of donations at the event. There were many doctors and caregivers who provided her with the ability to fight as long as she did. Julie had a magnetic personality, and an uncanny ability to touch people in a meaningful way. Her own personal situation was overshadowed by a focus on others, and it was common for her to inquire about other patients or even bring gifts for everyone who did the smallest task for her.