Julie Cochran's Obituary
Julie Lawrence Cochran died on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 after a long illness. Julie was born in Dallas, Texas on September 27, 1941 to Helen and Harry Lawrence. She attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas and Austin College in Sherman, Texas where she graduated with a B.A. in French. She spent her junior year in Paris, France studying at the Sorbonne on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. She also received a Master of Arts in French Literature from Columbia University and Master of Arts in Art History from Southern Methodist University. She married Steven Knight Cochran, a Dallas attorney and the love of her life on January 18, 1986. They most recently lived in Dallas and Durango, Colorado. Her husband, Steve, preceded her in death in 2011. She is survived by her brothers, Jody Lawrence, and his wife Diane and David Lawrence, and his wife, Judy. Julie is also survived by her niece, Kathy Dodson and husband, Tom, and son Jack; nephew, Joe Lawrence, Jr. and wife, Patti; their children, Rob, Drew and Kate; stepdaughters, Susan Jacques and husband, Patrick; their son, Rene; Sarah Jewett and husband, Bruce and their daughters, Mollie and Elizabeth. Julie is the niece of James and Charlotte Park Brooks, abstract expressionist painters of the New York School. She also served as head of the Brooks Foundation for a time. She dedicated years of service to the Dallas Museum of Art, including tenure as President of the Museum League, coordinator of the Brettell Lecture Series for the D.M.A., and catalogued the art collection of Lillian Clark. Julie was honored as a distinguished guest at the 1997 SMU Commencement as a key figure in making Dallas a hospitable home for the arts. Julie loved art, literature and history, and made these come alive through her travels. She especially loved France and enjoyed vacationing in Paris and Provence with her husband Steve. There was a special place in her heart for her Scottish Terriers and her bird, Cully. Special thanks go to Julie’s best friend, Susan Dyer, and her sister-in-law, Margaret O’Neill, who have provided constant love and support; and especially to her loyal caregivers, Pat Dillon and Michelle Givens, who provided her with constant and wonderful care over the past few years. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Restland Wildwood Chapel at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 15th. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75238. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, the DMA or the charity of your choice would be preferred by the family.
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