Julie Irvine Brenton died on February 3rd., 2017.  Her last month of life, like the previous 63 years, was one of enjoying the presence of family and friends.

She was born in Ames, Iowa in 1953, to her parents Anne and Charles Irvine, when her father was attending Iowa State University. Julie graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1971, and the University of Maryland in 1976. She also attended Simpson College, the Art Institute of Chicago, Corcoran School of Arts and Design in Washington, DC, Iowa State University, and received an Associate Degree in Interior Design from Scott Community College.

She married Woodward G. Brenton in 1975. They moved to Silver Spring, Maryland where she completed her Bachelor of General Studies degree at the University of Maryland while Woody attended Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington DC.

Woody garnered a job at Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York City in 1976, and the couple moved to midtown Manhattan. Julie worked at M. Knoelder & Co., Associated Merchandising, and Savin Corporation. She was a member of the New York Junior League, and did volunteer work at the Guggenheim Museum. Later they moved to Rye, NY where Julie continued her sales career in word processing sales, at Micom, and Woody worked at Marine Midland Bank.

They moved back to Des Moines, Iowa in 1982 when Woody joined his family's Brenton Bank and Julie briefly worked at Wang Laboratories. Des Moines is where they had their three children, Victoria, Theodore, and Woodward.

In 1986 the family moved to Bettendorf, Iowa for 10 years, while Woody served as president of the Brenton Bank in Davenport. During that time, Julie was on the Steering Committee for the Festival of Trees, and The Junior Guild of the Quad City Symphony. Most importantly, she developed many lasting friendships in the community.

They moved back to the Des Moines area in 1995 where Julie did volunteer work with the PTO at Johnston High School. She was President of PEO Chapter GI, a trustee for the Des Moines Art Center, a founding board member of Gray's Lake Neighborhood Association, and an avid fan of the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, helping establish a pedestrian path that connected the Gray's Lake Neighborhood to the city's bike trail system. She was also actively involved with plans to restore MacRae Park.

Julie loved to make ceramic sculpture at the Des Moines Art Center, and Dahlquist Studio. She helped design and plan her family's second home in Tulum, Mexico. She had key interests in design, the environment, health, and quality of life. She loved to walk, kayak, and swim, and did some sort of exercise daily.

Julie loved her family and many friends, and they whole-heartedly supported her throughout her sudden illness. A theme that came up repeatedly among many of her good girlfriends in her last month of life was what they learned from Julie and her influence in their lives.

Julie is survived by her husband, Woodward G. Brenton; her children: Victoria Brenton (Adam Lackey), Theodore Brenton (Yara), Woodward T. Brenton (Vanessa Lang); four grandchildren: Zane and Jude Brenton, and George and Zelda Lackey; her parents: Anne and Charles Irvine; her brothers: Thomas, and Theodore Irvine (Christine); in-laws: Ann Irvine, William Jr. and Angela Brenton and their children; her cousins, Scott, Nancy, and Mary Carla Lauterbach. Julie was preceded in death by her brother, Chuck Irvine, Jr.; parents-in-law, William and Natalie Brenton; sister-in-law Natalie Gay Brenton, Uncle Carl and Aunt Mary Lauterbach; Uncle Al and Aunt Sally Cross.

Donations rather than flowers are encouraged to The Des Moines Art Center; MacRae Park, Friends of Parks, City of Des Moines; Above and Beyond Cancer, Mercy Cancer Center; Mercy Hospice; or any charity that you like.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?n=julia-brenton&pid=183981727&fhid=13078&fbclid=IwAR2dhWXy0h-eRP8o52foHx1DSWtGHfgeqa