Julie Cavallaro

Julie Dianne Cavallaro, 60 of North Andover, Ma , passed away at home on June 17, 2022 with her sons by her side, after long and well fought b att le with Glioblastoma.

Julie was in born and raised in Portland, Maine to Joanne DeSimone and Frank Cavallaro on February 3, 1962. She attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School, Class of 1980. Julie was very athletic, she was a cheerleader and a sought after point guard by two rival schools, Deering High School and Portland High School. She chose to play for Portland like her maternal grandmother did 45 years before her.

After high school, Julie married her high school sweetheart and became a mom of identical twin boys. They moved to Lawrence, MA and she eventually moved and resided in North Andover, MA where her boys graduated from. They were the light of her life as were her grandchildren and she noted every new milestone with excitement. She cherished time with her family.

While Julie’s boys were young, she worked nights for the IRS. Once they att ended school, she went to Northern Essex Community College to pursue a Phys. Ed. degree. That was interrupted when she was diagnosed with stage 3 glioblastoma, which she fought valiantly. She defeated it two more times, with neurosurgeon, Dr. Cook, calling her his “miracle”. And a miracle she was! Julie remained in remission over the last 26 years. Earlier this year she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma. Julie spent the short time she had cherishing every moment with her children and grandchildren.

Julie enjoyed dog walking at Meadow View, where she lived, making lots of friends, both human and canine. She convinced the condo association to allow pets after adopting Resa, her adored dog and companion, to help her through her illness. Julie was very fond of drawing, as it was very comforting to her; she had many unique, colorful designs. She loved animals especially tigers, and donated to the MSPCA and The Humane Society. She also enjoyed her many plants, weeding patios, falling snow and the cold, MeTV , old Westerns, game shows and a can of Barq’s root beer.

Julie was a wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and dog mom. She was strong willed and creative but amazingly loyal to her family and friends. Julie was very loved and will never be f o r g ott en.

Julie was predeceased by her parents, her mom on May 31st of this year, her maternal grandparents, Michael and Beulah DeSimon , her paternal grandparents, Samuel and Josephine Cavallaro, and her beloved dog, Resa.

Julie is survived by her two sons, Joseph DellaValle and wife Jamie and Antonio DellaValle, all of MA. Three grandchildren, Giana, Joey and Declan. Two sisters, Jeanne Zelensky and husband Jon of NH, and Dina Hebert of FL. Her brother, Stephen Cavallaro and wife Judy of FL. Her ex- husband , Joe DellaValle of Maine: her beloved cat, Ollie. Several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In her final act of compassion, Julie donated her brain to the Harvard Brain Tumor Research Center. She made the ultimate sacrifice to help others and she hopes the study of her brain will help lead to a cure for cancer.

Her family would like to thank Beacon Hospice for their dedication, and her team of Doctors over the years, specifically, Dr. Cook, Dr. Currie, and Dr. Ross, for giving us 28 extra years to love and be with her.

Memorial services are private. However, memorial donations in Julie’s name can be made to any of the following; The National Brain Tumor Society at www.braintumor.org or 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458; The MSPCA at MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130; and/or Beacon Hospice at 290 Merrimack St. Ste. 242, Lawrence MA, 01843.