Julia Anne Whitcombe, nee Beebe, died in her home in Pacific Palisades, California on September 3, 2023. She was 93.
Born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on November 10, 1929, Julia attended Hanover College, the first member of her family to do so. After college, she met and married John Whitcombe, her devoted husband of almost fifty-five years.
Julia was active in the theater, her first and most enduring love. During her life, she performed with many theater companies, including the Bonfils Theater in Denver, Colorado, the Thunder River Theater Company in Carbondale, Colorado, and Theater Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California.
She performed in many plays here, including Moon Over Buffalo (2005), You Can’t Take It With You (2008) and Enchanted April (2012).
She played opposite Tom Murray in Man For All Seasons and Lion In Winter (1982) and was particularly proud of her work in those plays.
Julia donated time to her community; she served on the Board of Theater Palisades and on her homeowner Board of Directors. She also was a member of the Post 283 Auxiliary.
For many years, Julia volunteered with what was then called Recording for the Blind. She was an avid reader and book club participant.
When she and her husband lived in Colorado, Julia was an active congregant at the First Christian Church in Rifle, Colorado.
Julia was predeceased by her husband John, and her son David Whitcombe, and granddaughter Faith Sheffield. She is survived by daughter Nancy Whitcombe, grandchildren John and Anne Baker, by her sister, Jane Fisher, and by nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of the caregivers who provided exceptional support to Julia in her final year.
A memorial service will be held at Theatre Palisades, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, 90272 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 16. RSVP if possible, to nonajhale@aol.com or to the box office at (310) 454-1970 especially if you would like to say a few words.
Julia would not have wanted flowers (unless you have a good use for them afterwards), but donations to Theatre Palisades will be happily accepted.
I knew Julia and John very well for decades. They were some of my favorite people, out of the 25,000 or so I’ve had the opportunity to know during my decades in Santa Monica. Julia and I always made each other laugh, even when she was in hospice, and I really miss her.