The Pankey family is saddened to announce that Julia Pankey has died. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Oct. 17, at the age of 86. Dearly beloved wife of Walter Pankey, mother of Frederick Pankey and George Petrus (deceased). Loved by daughter-in-law Kim Pankey and grandchildren, Jemma Webb, Jayse Pankey and Jye Pankey.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Hosanna Balfour-Gittens and Alexander Petrus Sr.; siblings: Melvin, Alexander, Edwin, John, Leonile, Ena, Ina, Rosamond and Antoinette; sisters-in-law: Gertrude Arnold, Ara Petrus, Eulalie Petrus; and brothers-in-law: Vincent F. Mason Sr., Freddy Pankey and Roy Oliver.
Julia is survived by her loving sister. Irene Mason; in-laws: Orin Arnold, Christine and Melvin Marrow, and Roger and Priscilla Pankey; nieces and nephews: Mary, Augustin and Malcolm Mason, Dr. Denise Bennerson, Kevin Oliver and Dr. Mark Oliver, Melvin and Jeffrey Petrus, Marvin Clarke, Iyieachia Petrus-Byron and Izorrie Petrus, Carolyn, Patrick and Reginald Chappelle, Sandra Petrus-Campbell and Edwin and Hans Petrus, Angela, Kathy and Cynthia Arnold, Cynthia and Edwin Pankey, Daphne, LaTisha and Shiryl Pankey, Bruce, Cynthia and Bernice (Bunny) Marrow; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Julia also leaves to mourn: many relatives, including the Arnold, Balfour, Byron, Davis, Doward, Evangelista, Flemming, Gittens, Isaac, Mason, McIntosh, Oliver, Pankey, Peterson, Petrus, Richards, Rodgers, Thomas, Weeks and Williams families; goddaughters: Debra Miller Hansen, Dr. Julia Sheen, May Mckintosh, Beverly Nesbitt, Nabria Ritter; and special friends: Nieta Battiste, Gloria Gordon, Marian Francois, Jeannie Garcia, Lana Ritter, Dorothy Carter and many more Whim neighborhood friends.
Julia lived a life of tireless service and made a difference to the lives of many people. She was a member and past president of the Sacred Heart Society, a Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and School community, a Juan F. Luis Hospital board member and past president of the Juan F. Luis Foundation, and a founding member of the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix. Her generosity, intelligence, energy, drive and humor will be greatly missed.
Please join us to honor the life and mourn the passing of Julia on Tuesday, Nov. 7. There will be a 9:30 a.m. viewing at Sacred Heart Rosary, and a eulogy at 10:30 a.m. at Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 416 Custom House St., Frederiksted, St. Croix. Interment will be at Frederiksted Cemetery
Tributes and pictures are welcome. Please send them to:
Kim.louis-pankey@hotmail.com by Nov. 1.
Flowers are welcome.