DATE OF DEATH: January 16, 2016

Julie Tyska was born on October 20, 1937, daughter of the late Kenneth Hamilton Parsons and June Smith Parsons. After many moves as a child, she considered Montclair, New Jersey and Norway, Maine her hometowns. She was a "Jersey girl" with Maine roots. Her favorite childhood memories were going to the Jersey shore and the Coast of Maine. Julie graduated from Montclair High School, attended the University of Connecticut, and worked in New York City before marrying her husband Lou and raising their four children. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years in 2014, as well as her son Kevin in 2008.

The family spent their first 11 years in Verona, New Jersey, where Julie started the Cub Scout Pack 6 and became head Den Mother and Lou the Cub Master. They ran the program until their move in 1972, the first of many. Julie embraced every new town – Fairfax, Virginia, Schooleys Mountain, New Jersey, Cheshire Connecticut, and Convent Station, New Jersey – before coming to Hollis, New Hampshire in 1992. She collected friends along the way and gave back to each community. The contribution she was most proud of was helping her son Kevin start the lacrosse program at Cheshire High School, where she was also president of the PTO. She had many wonderful friends there, the most special being the "Coven," a close group of women friends with whom she shared many wonderful years walking the beaches on their annual trips. Julie made a career in retail for 28 years. She worked in 3 different Talbot stores as well as Beachfront Property Swimwear in Merrimack. She also enjoyed her many years of playing tennis and bridge.

Passing down family traditions, especially during the holidays – her favorite being Thanksgiving, were made special in their historic homes. Her special cookie-cutter cookies, which her grandchildren loved, will always be remembered. Of all the many trips she shared with Lou, their favorite was heading up to Kennebunkport, Maine every chance they got.

Julie’s last 23 years were spent in Hollis where she was active in many clubs, including the Hollis Womans Club, as well as the Colonial Garden Club and the Hollis Historical Club, the latter two of which she had been president. Her most fun times were spent with her friends in her bridge groups and "the Hookers." She was also a volunteer at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center where she was the card buyer for many years at the gift shop. Julie was a member of the Parish of the Resurrection.

Her most treasured moments were times spent with her family – son Craig Tyska and his wife Donna from Guilford, CT, son Chris Tyska from Hollis, daughter Asha and her husband Mark McLaughlin from Williamsburg, VA, and daughter-in-law Cyd Tyska from Natick, MA. She especially treasured her time with her eight adoring grandchildren – Jessica, Kayla, Kendra, Jake, Ellie, Samantha, Oliver, and Lucian. Julie also leaves a brother, the Rev. Timothy Parsons and his wife Sue from Norway, Maine, and niece Frances from California, as well as sister-in-law Ginger McHale from Fort Myers, FL. She also leaves many special cousins.

SERVICES: Visiting hours were from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Thursday, January 21 at the Davis Funeral Home, One Lock Street, Nashua, NH 03064. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 22 at the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, NH 03063. A reception will follow the service at Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Road in Hollis. Family and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, please make offerings or donations to Beaver Brook in Hollis, NH and/or ALS research (alsa.org).

The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua has been placed in charge of arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (603-883-3401) "ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER."