Julia Faith Borden Martinez, age 50, formerly of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from cancer at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. She was born on September 2, 1971 in Lawrenceville, Illinois to John F. and Jeanne Fischer Borden. She attended Lawrenceville Public Schools from New Central through High School, graduating Salutatorian of her class. She attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, and graduated cum laude with a degree in music education. She married Mark Martinez and they shared life together for 27 years until her death. Julia and Mark moved to Lawrenceville shortly after their marriage and lived in her paternal grandparent’s homeplace. Julia enjoyed giving private piano lessons and hosting recitals there to show student accomplishments.
Julia and Mark thereafter pursued their dream of experiencing the Western U.S. living in several cities, her favorites being Santa Fe, New Mexico and San Luis Obispo, California. She spent most of her work career as a web designer, working remotely from her home. Upon her last hospitalization, her supervisor from the last 15 years described Julia and her work as “the best and everyone liked her”.
Julia had shared her musical gifts in churches in Lawrence County as a girl. She continued her love of music and particularly playing the flute and piano as accompanist for various choral groups in communities where they lived.
Julia is survived by her husband, Mark of Olympia, Washington; parents, John F. and Jeanne Borden of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one sister, Sarah (Michael) Borden Sharkey of Wheaton, Illinois; one brother, John C. (Mindy) Borden of Champaign, Illinois; six nieces and nephews through her siblings; four aunts and their families, including locally, Susan M. Fischer of Lawrenceville, Illinois; mother-in-law, Celia Martinez of Olympia, Washington; two sisters-in-law, Gloria (Brett) Young of Olympia, Washington and Linda (Doug) Blacker of Greensboro, South Carolina; as well as several cousins and other relatives; and many friends who have been a blessing during her short life.
The family wishes to thank Providence St. Peter Hospital and its doctors, nurses, and staff for the kind and compassionate care for Julia during her last days.
A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM CDT at the First United Methodist Church, 1015 12th Street, Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439.
Memorial donations may be made to Providence St. Peter Hospital, Gideons International, or First United Methodist Church through the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home, PO Box 564, Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439.
Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.