Julia Sue Pooley

Julia Sue Pooley, 78, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Pearl City, Hawaii. Julia attended Pearl City Elementary, Highlands Intermediate and graduated from Waipahu High School with the class of 1964. After High School, Julia attended Church College in Laie, Hawaii, then later transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations. While attending BYU, she met her sweet husband Albert Mark Pooley. Al and Julia were married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple on August 22, 1969 and were married for 55 years. Together they had six children and 16 grandchildren. Julia was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was baptized while attending BYU in Provo, Utah. They raised their children to be faithful followers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Julia was half Japanese and half Polish and grew-up in Hawaii and embraced many cultures, including the Native American culture. Her husband was Native American of the Hopi and Navajo tribes. Julia worked for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for over 30 years in Scottsdale, Arizona in administration for HeadStart and as a Social Worker for Social Services. There she helped strengthen many families from the community and taught parenting classes and helped reunite parents with their children. Julia was well respected and greatly loved by the families she served! Julia often was a mother figure to many, not just her own six children. 

Julia was preceded in death by her parents George and Evelyn Skedeleski and her beloved daughter Gessica Pooley Boone. Julia is survived by her husband Albert Pooley, and children Susan Sharp (Mike), Karra Papa (Thomas), Mark Pooley (Liz), Michael Pooley (Teresita), and Amy Fa’atoafe (Justin). She also is survived by her 16 grandchildren: Jordyn, Makenzie, Evelyn, Abigail, Spencer, Daniel Papa; Yesenia, Yasmin, Mathias Pooley; Michael, Natalya, Alyssa, Kamilah Pooley; Talia, Kimbal Taimane Fa’atoafe and her brothers David and Glen Skedeleski and her many nieces and nephews. Julia loved her family more than anything else! 

Julia loved to cook and bake for others. She would often bring in baked goods to her co-workers and was known for her generosity and great recipes. Every New Year she would host a huge party and meal to bring the whole extended family and friends together and to celebrate the new year and reconnect from the previous year. Three of Julia’s children were police officers, so for every holiday the police officers on duty were welcome to stop in for a home-cooked meal. Julia’s home was always open to anyone who needed a place to go for any occasion. She was so thoughtful of others when it was least expected, she would cook/bake for anyone and it was never an inconvenience for her.

Julia loved to shop, read, cook, sew, eat good food and enjoyed good company. Most of all she LOVED her grandchildren, children and family! Julia was loved by so many and will be greatly missed! A funeral service was held for her on Saturday August 3, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She lies to rest at the Mariposa Gardens Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona with her beloved daughter, Gessica.