Julie Reitter Hebert died Sunday of breast cancer which she fought for many years with the strength she lived her life.

Julie was born in St. Paul, Minn. on March 4, 1958. She valued education and research, earning her Ph.D. in Biomolecular Chemistry from UMass Medical School, Worcester where she also worked. She then worked alongside Dr. Kenneth Mills at The College of the Holy Cross teaching undergraduate students in the chemistry lab.

Julie leaves her husband Mark Hebert of 34 years, her mom Bette Reitter from St. Paul, and was predeceased by her dad John. She leaves behind her three sisters, Ann Wolf, Becky Turner, Trudy Swanson, and their respective spouses. She leaves three children, Cassanda Johnson, Joshua Hebert, Colleen Matson, her seven wonderful grandchildren, who knew her as Grammy Julie, Mark’s sisters Helen Hume, Barbara Szeidler, their spouses, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as her many other friends, that loved her so dearly.

Julie’s hobbies were traveling, gardening, and birding, never having less than two binoculars nearby. She was an avid traveler, visiting countless places around the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South Africa and Australia. One of her favorite places was Ocean Park, Maine, enjoying time spent with Mark, college friends, kids, grandchildren and other family.

Julie always had a way of making others feel special. Her laughter was contagious, and her constant optimism lifted others. Julie quietly left us leaving so many loving memories.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, December 1, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral service will follow in the funeral home at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Mark suggests donations in Julie’s memory to the Hadwen Park Church LGBT Asylum Support Task Force, 6 Clover St., Worcester, MA 01603.