Julia Bagchi (29 Aug 1939 - 29 Jan 2017)

Julia Bagchi (née Rose) was born in Orpington, Kent in 1939. She was gifted with a fine aesthetic sense, which she expressed through her wonderful paintings, illustrations (especially her vibrant drawings for children), nail art and home decorations. She turned her hand to all sorts of jobs including painting, illustrating, modelling, writing books and poetry anthologies, sales and working as a beautician. She loved people, animals and keeping busy and was one of those people who you could always turn to for help when in need.

Born three days before World War II, many of Julia’s earliest memories were of nights spent in bomb shelters, near misses and rationing. But the acts of love, kindness and bravery she also witnessed profoundly influenced her. Perhaps those early experiences contributed to her own kindness and generosity as well as her grit. She married twice, to John Blackwell in 1961, and then to Ganesh Bagchi in 1976. She had two sons who she loved dearly; Mark Blackwell, in 1963 and Robi Bagchi, in 1979. Mark’s death in 2011 was the lowest point in her life and haunted her for the rest of her life.
She had an incredible ability to start again. She spent several years in Tanzania and then, over two long periods, India. Although she loved living in both countries, especially the vibrant cultures and wildlife, her health suffered. Twice ill health forced her to return from India to the UK, first in 1977 and then in 1996, the second time moving to Horncastle. Ill health rarely stopped her from living life to the full though and she rarely rested for longer than was absolutely necessary. Each relocation brought its own challenges, financial and social, but each time Julia threw herself into re-establishing her life and her family. Her zest for life, determination and warmth meant she always found a new home and, most importantly, a close group of friends.

Julia had a natural vitality and was never happier than when in the thick of things. When Ganesh was in hospital, she visited him daily for two months, often driving for hours and ignoring the warning signs of her own deteriorating health. She visited the USA for her last Christmas, spending it with her one-year old granddaughter, Surena, with whom she quickly established a special bond. She was diagnosed with lung cancer while in the USA, and faced it with extraordinary courage and calm. Her courage, love and vitality will be much missed but we have so many happy memories of a wonderful, warm-hearted woman.