Julie Kosmond obituary (2021) – Chicago, IL

Julie Marie (born 1962) made the transition on November 16 in Gatineau, Canada, with Chris and Gillian, children; Lisa Kosmond Helmuth, sister, & Michel Murray, 30-year-old husband by her side. She was predeceased by her brother, Raymond James (1968); his parents James (2016) and Nancy (1996) and his nephew James Helmuth (2013) and leaves behind his beloved nephew Jack Benjamin Helmuth. Julie was an academic, artist (sketches, oils), loyal and loving friend, investigator, writer and ‘muckraker’, acclaimed for uncovering abuses of government power with reliable / creative coverage of local news at Aylmer.

Julie’s brilliance is reflected in her formal education (Undergrad, Master in Arts, Doctor of Law (JD) and informal. She graduated from U d’I Champaign-Urbana (1984) and attended the Sorbonne in Paris. (twice) She excelled at the University of Chicago, Master of Arts (MA) Humanities (1989), working for the editor of the journal “Maroon” of the U of C and writing a master’s thesis (in French ) on the 19th century Symbolist poetry of Charles Baudelaire. She excelled there in writing, Russian literature, and enjoyed studying the works of Carl Jung. She then obtained her Doctor of Laws (JD) in 1995 from the University from Colorado Boulder, (wrongs, contracts, evidence, civil procedure, accounting, criminal law (graduated 19 out of 163), as a student, she was the editor of the University of Colorado Law Journal and a also found the time to become editor-in-chief of Amicus Alumni magazine. Julie has also published a review article by law (widely cited in US court cases). on the use of repressed memories as evidence in sexual abuse trials, again winning a prestigious legal writing award.

Julie was an artist – drawing, music, photography, public speaking and writing. An award-winning investigative journalist, she has worked to make the world a better place. Her insatiable curiosity led her to read avidly and to travel extensively in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. While in Boulder, Julie fell in love with nature – hiking, running, meditating and starting her life journey following Tom Brown, Jr., a famous animal tracker and wildlife expert. Despite her accomplishments, Julie loved simplicity, love and kindness. Julie was caring, kind and generous – always there to listen and support those who are alone, sad or in pain. Rest in peace, our beautiful Julie – until we meet again.