Julia Marie Beltz

Julia Marie Beltz, age 33, dearly beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on December 30, 2023. Julia was surrounded by family during her last days and moments at the Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio. Julia battled breast cancer, originally diagnosed in October 2022, for over a year. Julia approached her fight, much as she lived her life: with courage, boldness, and an unbelievable capacity to care for and think of others. Despite her diagnosis, Julia remained as curious as she always had been, consuming books on wide ranging topics, continuing to educate herself, and challenging conventional ways of thinking. Julia is gone far too soon. Her loss is devastating to so many. But the loving, positive memories and impact that Julia made on so many will be felt for years to come.

Julia was born on April 24, 1990, in Walnut Creek, California to Daniel “Dan” Dove and Ellen Ruppel. Only 22 months later, her sister and mini-me, Leah, came along. Julia spent much of her childhood growing up in California, being near the water, Redwoods, and spending significant time surrounded by family and early childhood friends. Whether it was in Pao’s care, making sure her friend Stephanie ate her veggies (especially her lettuce and mustard), or making home videos with her family and grandparents, Julia was always adventurous and full of life. Julia’s early life in California was always regarded very fondly by Julia, and Julia always relished her time and opportunity to travel back when she could. More than anything, it’s where Julia and Leah developed their bond that would endure throughout Julia’s life. Julia and Leah developed a love language that only sisters could possibly create, which was a joy to experience. Both Leah and Ellen (lovingly known as “Earl” to the girls) were so loved by Julia. After living in California for Julia’s early childhood, her family moved to Ohio, living in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. After moving to Ohio, a dog named Chester came into Julia’s ownership. Chester would be one of the most important beings in Julia’s life and a member of the family, up until his passing.

Julia graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School, and later earned her Bachelor’s degree from Kent State University, graduating in the Class of 2012 (Julia would be remiss if I didn’t say “Go Flashes”!). Following her graduation from Kent State, Julia moved to Columbus, Ohio. After several short-term jobs, Julia found a first, true professional home at Abercrombie & Fitch. Julia worked at A&F from 2013 to 2021. While Julia did valuable work and was afforded tremendous opportunities to travel the globe within her role (China, England, Portugal, Mexico – just to name a few), Julia found dear friends and colleagues at A&F that would help to shape much of her adult life. Julia was immensely grateful for the opportunities to learn as a young professional while at A&F. Julia continued to evolve her career in 2021 when she accepted a position at Toast. Despite only being with Toast for over 2 years, Julia left an unmistakable impact on those she worked with and the work that she performed. Julia cherished her opportunities to excel, grow, and develop meaningful relationships with others during her time with Toast. Her joy for the work she did while at Toast was palpable.

In late 2015, Julia met her future husband, Kevin Beltz. The two met at a time when they were both looking for, needing that special, certain someone. Their love and connection was immediate, and the two became inseparable. Julia and Kevin traveled frequently – both near and far – and created so many special memories with each other, with close friends, and with family. Aside from traveling, spending time with family, some of the two’s favorite hobbies included dinner and drinks in the evening with close friends (or in some cases, just drinking…a number of shenanigans with Rachel and Justin Dennen come to mind), re-watching The Office, going to the theater (movie or stage), attending concerts, watching sports (Cleveland Cavaliers basketball for Julia), debating the sanctity of the “pinch committee”, and being competitive with each other (they both hated to lose). Kevin proposed to Julia in 2017, and on September 15, 2018, the two were married, surrounded by friends and family at a fun, intimate wedding in Columbus. Their wedding could not have been more perfect.

In late 2019, Julia and Kevin (with Chester’s help) announced to family and close friends that Julia was pregnant. Named after his grandfather, Daniel (“Danny”) Robert Beltz, was born on April 8, 2020. Julia’s most important, impactful phase of her life had begun. In early 2022, Julia and Kevin (with Danny’s help this time) announced to family and close friends that Julia was pregnant with their second child. Theodore (“Teddy”) Wade Beltz, was born August 24, 2022. From the time that both Danny and Teddy were born, they were loved fiercely by their mother. Danny and Teddy were the two most important, favorite people in Julia’s life, and she devoted every single ounce of her being to care for, cherish, and nurture her boys. Julia’s favorite times were any time that she had to play with, read to, be silly with both Danny and Teddy. They were her world, and she was theirs.

Julia’s life was far too short; but Julia will never be forgotten and will continue to be loved by those that came to know her.

Julia is survived by her husband, Kevin Beltz, their two boys, Danny, and Teddy (Westerville, OH). Julia is also survived by her mother, Ellen Ruppel, and sister, Leah Dove (New Albany, OH). Finally, Julia would be upset to know that we did not also include our loyal canine companion, Ned, as surviving her in passing.

Julia is predeceased by her father, Dan Dove (March 5, 2008). Julia is also predeceased by her best canine friend, Chester (October 19, 2022).

Julia will be remembered at a Celebration of Life, which will be held on Saturday, March 30th, from 11:00am – 3:00pm at Understory (see link for most details: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/juliabeltz). Our family invites you all to come and share love and memories of the life that Julia lived. Appetizers and drinks will be served.

To preserve Julia’s memory and spirit, Julia’s surviving family and friends have a couple of requests for those that knew and loved Julia throughout her life. Specifically:

          - For those that knew Julia, if you would be so kind as to write a letter to her boys, Danny, and Teddy. While our family plans to tell Danny and Teddy about all the wonderful qualities and memories of their mother, we feel it would be immensely impactful to them in later years to understand the breadth of her caring, personality, and experiences with others that knew her. Please mail letters to the Beltz residence at 163 Ormsbee Avenue, Westerville, OH 43081.

             - For those that knew Julia, if you would be so kind as to provide any pictures of Julia and yourself, so that Julia’s family can work to preserve her memory visually for Danny and Teddy, this would be immensely impactful. Digital pictures are preferred, with cloud sharing, thumb-drives, or email being acceptable methods of delivery. If you choose to share via email, please send to Kevin Beltz at kbeltzjr22@gmail.com.

Additionally, contributions to Julia’s memory can be made to either:

            - Meal Train support plan for the Beltz family, established by Rachel Dennen – link can be found here: Meal Train for The Beltz Family.

            - Danny Beltz and/or Teddy Beltz Ohio 529 college advantage fund (accounts being transferred/ updated) - please contact Kevin Beltz at kbeltzjr22@gmail.com for details as they become available.

           - Pink Ribbon Good (formerly known as the Pink Ribbon Girls) – link to donate in Julia’s memory can be found here: Support PRG's mission — Pink Ribbon Good.

Julia, you and I are soup snakes.

I love you so much. We all love you so much and miss you tremendously.