Julia Ester Fricke

Julia Ester Fricke (maiden name De La Gasca) came to the US in the 1970s from Ecuador with a desire for more opportunity and a better life for herself and her 4 kids. She met a man here with whom she began a true-love story. Theirs was a match-made for citizenship. And when they met, it was love at first sight!  

She married Henry Fricke, and soon after, their daughter Julia Catherine was born. Until her husband's untimely passing in 2004, he was a true father to all five children. They are Cecilia, Fatima, Jose, Gina, and Julia (that's me). 

Born on September 3rd, 1936 and passed away on April 22nd, 2025, she had lived over 88 beautiful years. She loved crafting and sewing, word puzzles, baseball, telenovelas, and seeing the world with her family. She really loved caring for animals. She inspired my love for birds from the first time she took a pigeon home and nursed its broken wing. She used to feed them from our fire escape in the Bronx. She also took care of the dogs that came to her. And she loved taking care of her daughter Fátima's miniature horses. She was love incarnate. And justly so, hers was a lifelong love story. 

She is survived by three generations: her 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren (and one more currently on the way). We will all miss her strength, her cuteness, and her adorable laughter.

May her voice and loving spirit be heard and felt in sweet bird songs. May the cool breezes that kiss our cheeks, remind us of how she used to.

Julia...Mommy, may you be reunited with Henry and basking in the pure light of the Heavens. God be with you, Mamá! Que viva la Santa!