Julie Maxwell Shull, 59, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in Sandy Hook. Though the official record marks her passing on Christmas morning, Julie took her final breath late on Christmas Eve, surrounded by love — her husband Lee cradling her, with their children Olivia and Ian and her sister Joni at her bedside.

Born on September 1, 1966, in Jackson, Michigan, Julie was the daughter of Shirley Kay Maxwell (Welch) and Alton Ray Maxwell. From a young age, she exhibited a vibrant spirit and a profound joy for life. She pursued higher education with determination, earning a bachelor’s degree from Western Connecticut State University and later a master’s degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University.

Julie began her professional journey in the corporate world as a materials planner at Elizabeth Arden in Stamford. However, seeking more meaningful work that aligned with her values and passions, she transitioned into education. After obtaining her teaching certificate, she accepted her first teaching position as a long-term substitute in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Upon returning to Connecticut and starting a family, she worked as an aide at Reed Intermediate School in Newtown before moving into a full-time teaching role in 2006. There, she taught fifth- and sixth-grade students until health issues led to her early retirement in 2025.

Julie’s time at Reed was marked not only by her dedication to academic instruction but also by her commitment to student well-being. She founded a yoga club to introduce students to the principles of mindfulness and self-awareness — practices that had long been central to her own life. Her approach to teaching extended beyond the classroom; she nurtured minds and spirits alike.

Julie’s life was shaped by extraordinary resilience. At sixteen, she began facing significant health challenges that would continue throughout her life. At 24, she received a kidney transplant at Hartford Hospital — a remarkable procedure performed by the late Dr David Hull using pediatric kidneys from a 3-year-old donor. That gift sustained her for 31 years, and Julie honored it every day through mindful living and unwavering gratitude for the family who made such a profound decision during their own time of grief.

In another testament to her perseverance and hopefulness, Julie became a mother through the miracle of in vitro fertilization and egg donation from a lifelong friend. She carried and gave birth to twins — Olivia and Ian — who became the center of her world.

The years brought further trials: cancer diagnoses in 2020 and 2023 led to chemotherapy and stem-cell transplants at Hartford Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering. In 2024, another form of cancer emerged; though an allogeneic stem-cell transplant initially appeared successful, it ultimately attacked her transplanted kidney, leading to end-stage renal failure.

Despite these immense challenges, Julie never allowed illness to define or diminish her. She approached life with courage, grace, humor, and an infectious zest for living. Her laughter was unforgettable — joyful and often shared through practical jokes that became legendary among friends and even celebrities. Whether playfully pranking former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason or charming figures like Lawrence Taylor and the entire N.Y. Giants team bus, Madonna, Adam Sandler, or Steven Tyler of Aerosmith with her fearless friendliness, Julie left an impression wherever she went.

She was an avid reader who found solace in nature and joy in travel — whether near or far — and had an uncanny ability to connect instantly with people from all walks of life. Her memory for faces and names was astonishing; no matter where she went, it seemed inevitable she’d recognize someone from years past. Her family often joked that if Julie didn’t run into someone she knew on an outing or vacation, it was truly unusual.

Julie is survived by her devoted husband Lee; their beloved children Olivia and Ian; siblings Joni and Rodney; sister-in-law Susan Maxwell; mother-in-law Carol Schmidt; father-in-law Steve Shull; nephews Rory and Tyler, along with their wives Kelsey and Alyssa; grandnieces Violette and Jayme — with another on the way — and grandnephew Jeremiah Brockwell.

She was predeceased by her parents, Shirley Kay Maxwell (Welch) and Alton Ray Maxwell.

Julie loved animals — though not snakes — and cherished the companionship of pets throughout her life. She found joy in live music, new experiences, yoga practice, mindfulness meditation, laughter shared with friends old and new, and most of all in being present for those she loved.

Collectively, we lost an incredible human being — one whose empathy ran deep, whose strength inspired many, whose humor uplifted spirits even during dark times. Though we now navigate life without her physical presence, Julie lives on vividly in our hearts — in every laugh remembered, every act of kindness inspired by hers.

May her memory be a guiding light for all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on January 17 at 3 pm at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Instead of flowers, please consider donations in Julie’s name to the following organizations that have been part of her journey: American Cancer Society, The American National Red Cross and/or The American Kidney Fund.