Julia A. Burlone

Julia A. (Wojdag) Burlone, age 84, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at her home in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on April 14, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Adolph and Blanche A. (Grossewicz) Wojdag. Julia spent her youth in East Walpole, Massachusetts.

Julia (Julie) was one of eight children who entered the workforce early in life to help support her family. It was around this time that Julie also met the love of her life, Edward A. Burlone. The happy couple tied the knot on April 14, 1961, and began their married life in Virginia, where Edward was stationed with the Navy.

After Edward's (Tony’s) discharge, the couple returned to the Northeast, raising their family in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Julie was a loving mother who taught her daughters, Debbie, Cheryl and Lisa to be independent, caring and resourceful women. During her career path, Julia took a position with the Polaroid Company in Norwood, working in a variety of positions, helping to process orders and oversee production and ended up retiring in the Needham plant as a senior planner/buyer while wearing other hats including a camera assembly team coordinator. Although she was salary, she always arrived at work hours before her shift even started to make sure the job got done. After she retired, she stayed in touch with the friends she had at Polaroid and would periodically get together to catch up. In her spare time, Julie enjoyed watching candlepin bowling and cooking programs and most recently Perry Mason, one of her favorites from back in the day. She and Tony would throw on their bowling shoes and joined their bowling league friends once a week at a nearby bowling alley. 

Julie enjoyed cooking Sunday roast beef dinners and baking scrumptious treats during the holidays, all the while teaching her daughters how to make delectable dishes like her homemade spaghetti sauce, galumpkis, and potato pancakes.

Tony and Julie loved camping and the friends they made around the campfires. Their camping trips had humble beginnings, with the family sharing space in a pop-up camper, before working up to a fifth wheel camper with plenty of space, and eventually buying a destination trailer which allowed them to enjoy their retired life in year-long camping at Ellis Haven in Plymouth, MA. In the 80’s, they would haul their trailer and head up to Point Sebago Resort in Maine for two weeks every July, and also stayed year-round at Normandy Farms in Foxboro, MA for many years.

In the early 2000's, Julie and Tony retired to Brooksville, Florida, not far from the warm Gulf Coast. They would spend most of the year in Florida, returning a few weeks at a time, sometimes longer, home to Massachusetts to visit with their family. These visits were especially important as it meant a chance to spend time with her two grandchildren, Zachary & Brittany. Julie was thrilled when she was given the title of "Nana", and always found the cutest outfits to send their way. She loved the family visits at Normandy Farms and Ellis Haven.

In her free time, Julie loved playing card games like Michigan rummy and shanghai, amongst others. Loving a good game of chance, Julie also enjoyed playing bingo and keno, as well as pulling the handle or pushing the buttons on a slot machine at the casino. Anyone who knew Julie, knew that football season was an important time of year for her, and never missed watching a Patriot's game (unless not televised in FL, which she was NOT happy about).  She had such a major crush on Rob Gronkowski, she even named her rumba vacuum “Gronk”! 

Julie loved spending time with friends and family, and was a proud member of the Mansfield Elks Lodge # 2633, where she was lovingly called “Mom”, “Mumma” “Auntie” and “lucky lady”.

Town Spa was her go-to place for pizza and while her sister Dee Dee was visiting, her brother-in-law Mike would frequently go there and bring back her favorite – pepperoni pizza. She would never say no to a lobster roll with butter, steamers or Alaskan King crab legs, which she recently enjoyed during her 84th birthday celebration 2 weeks ago. She also loved the annual trip with her daughter Lisa to the Clam Box in Quincy for big bellied fried clams and home cut fries while looking out at Wollaston Beach. Wednesday’s “Zumba” with her daughter Lisa and niece Donna were always a fun time with friends and keno.

As an avid reader, Julie enjoyed quiet time to herself, getting lost in the latest Janet Evanovich or James Patterson book. 

Julie was fond of all animals, especially elephants, dogs, cats and loved looking out at the many different kinds of birds on the bird feeders.  She was delighted when bunnies, turkeys, deer and possums would also come around for a visit.

She was the beloved wife of the late Edward Burlone who was so devoted that he once decorated every room in their house on Valentine’s Day with rose petals, teddy bears, flowers and many other decorations while she was at Bingo. Another time he hired a 3-piece harmony trio who sang to her.

Loving mother of Lisa Burlone and longtime partner Brian Sherman of Foxboro, the late Cheryl Sullivan, and the late Deborah Harris, and her surviving husband, John, of Mansfield.

Cherished grandmother of Zachary Sullivan of Foxboro and Brittany Sullivan of Montana.

Sister of Joanne Rath of South Carolina, Michael Wojdag of Attleboro, Robert Wojdag of North Attleborough, Dennis Wojdag of Walpole, Denise DiMarzio of Franklin, the late Carol Michaud, and the late Marilyn Caputo.

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Julie's Life Celebration on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Julia's name may be made to your local food pantry. Please see their website for online/check donation guidelines.