Julia Consuegra

Julia Consuegra (93) was called to the Lord, Friday, June 28, 2013. Born in Amsterdam, New York, she lived there until shortly after her marriage in 1947. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ulises; her daughter, Catherine A. Consuegra; and sister, Helen Roscioli. Survivors include her loving sons, Gerard F. (Robin) and Daniel C. (Karen) Consuegra; a sister, Anne Allen; seven grandchildren (Justin, Cara, Stephen, Robert Charles, Julia, Jack, and David) and two great-grandchildren (Allison and Brian). A Mass for Julia will be celebrated Monday, July 8, 4:00 pm, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, FL 33614 with a reception to follow at Higgins Hall. The family would like to thank the staff of The Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay for their loving care and suggest a donation in lieu of flowers to The Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay Christmas Fund, 1255 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33707. �I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.� 2 Timothy 4:7 Julia slipped away while sleeping peacefully, around 8:00 pm. during a short stay in the hospital. Julia Baltuska was born July 2, 1919, in her Aunt�s home in Amsterdam, NY. After high school, she worked as a secretary at General Electric Company, in Schenectady, NY. While in her 20�s she met Ulises Consuegra from Cuba, and they married a short time later. She survived tuberculosis in the 1940�s when there was no medical cure. She and Ulises relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland, where they raised three children, Gerard, Catherine, and Daniel. Julia attended Montgomery Jr. College and the University of Maryland, earning degrees with honors including a Master�s degree in education. After 25 years serving as an elementary teacher in Beltsville, Maryland (Prince Georges County Public Schools), she lived out her retirement between Gulfport, Florida and Silver Spring, Maryland. She enjoyed reading historical novels, historical exposes, and poetry. In May 2012, she was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and was confined to a wheel chair. Although doctors said she would never walk again, with physical therapy and determination, she gained back some mobility. For the past 2-� years, she resided at the Fountains At Boca Ciega Bay, Assisted Living, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she enjoyed daily chair exercises and feeding the courtyard squirrels. She was gaining confidence in recent months and was seen reading poetry to the other residents and leading exercises when the exercise leader failed to attend. Her last days included reminiscing about her mother, father, sister, nieces and nephews, her late husband, and her late daughter. She was a devoted Catholic and attended Mass at the Fountains as her health allowed. She received the Sacrament of the Sick a few hours before departing.