Obituary of Julia Imbesi

On Monday, February 26, 2024, Julia Imbesi, loving mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 95.

Julie was born Juliette Russo on September 4, 1928. She was raised in the Bronx, NY where she too raised her 4 children until permanently moving to Ocala, Florida in 2003. 

Julie enjoyed being around family and friends, always inviting all to dinners and parties. From an early age Julie loved to dance, which is how she met her husband, Carl. They met on the floor of the Stardust Ballroom. A first dance led to a marriage of 64 years where they danced together well into their 80’s. 

Her death is preceded by her husband Carl who passed in 2016 at the age of 89 and son, Richard who passed in 2021 at the age of 61 as well as her parents, Vincenzo (Vincent) and Annunciata (Nancy) Russo, her stepfather, Ciro Barinelli, all of Italy; and by her sisters: Bernadette (Betty) Libutti, Marie Ochoa, Rose Gaetani, Josephine Saracco, Lydia Celano and brother, Anthony Russo.  

She leaves behind her 3 daughters, Linda (Salvatore) Castello, Debra (Anthony) Napolitano, and Caryn (Michael) Lutz. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren: Michael, Gina, Samantha, Christopher, Jennifer, Heather and Kimberly; and her 6 great-grandchildren: Sky, Kaya, Indiana, Leona, Owen and Maya.

Visitation will be held from 6 - 8 PM on Tuesday, March 5th, at Heirs Baxley Funeral Home in Ocala, Florida. A Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, at 12:30 PM. Entombment will follow at Highland Memorial Park.

Family and friends are invited to a reception in the Church’s Community Center.