Peer specialist known for her advocacy and generosity

Published in the February 22, 2017 edition

OBIT_Julia-Ciampa-webWAKEFIELD — Julia G. (Healey) Ciampa, 34, of Wakefield and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 13, 2017.

Born in Cambridge on February 22, 1982, Julia was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School. She was certified as a peer specialist by the Transformation Center and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She was a resident of Wakefield for the past 10 years and a member of Horizon House.

Julia had an endless love for her family. She was a woman who was exceptionally kind and understanding. She was passionate about things she found interesting, such as raising awareness for different advocacy groups and speaking at the State House. She was courageous in living her fullest life. Julia was the life of the party with an incredible sense of humor and wit. She was incredibly thoughtful, never forgetting a birthday or special occasion. She knew what she liked and had a sense of style truly her own.

She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and was so generous with everyone, always looking for the perfect gift for others. She wasn’t religious in the traditional sense, but over her life, had developed a special connection and trust in God. Julia’s family will forever love and cherish her as she made all of our lives so bright.

Family members include her loving mother, Julia C. (Wahlefield) Brachanow of North Reading; her sisters, Casey (Melvin) McGah and her husband Sean of Lynnfield, and Nathania Brachanow of North Reading; her brother, Frankie Brachanow of North Reading; her niece, Addison McGah and her nephew, Henry McGah; her grandparents, Catherine Cataldo of Arlington and William and Dee Wahlefield of Revere; her aunts and uncles, Charlotte and Sean Keefe of China, Maine, Linda and Ariel Angurano of Northport, Alabama, Joanne Torres of Wilmington and William Wahlefield of China, Maine; her cousins Parris, Lindsey, Denise, Debbie, Joanna, Gabby, Liam, Catherine, Charlotte, Tonya and Kiyanna; and her Auntie Shell and Godparents Cathy and Parris Varney of China, Maine.

Her funeral was held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Monday, February 20 followed by a funeral Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church in Lynnfield. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, North Reading.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Julia’s memory to: Horizon House, 78 Water Street, Wakefield, MA 01880.