Julia Carney Stevens, 89, died 13 September 2025 having enjoyed spending her latter years in her adopted city of Norfolk, Virginia. She was in the company of her dear family members and friends who were with her in person or in spirit.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, daughter of the late James Francis Carney and Irene Elmore Carney, she grew up in New Cumberland, PA and Towson, MD, where she graduated from high school and subsequently attended Villa Julie College. Her marriage in 1955 commenced a typical Navy wife life involving many moves, four children and her husband’s difficult career demands which brought to the fore, her strength, self-reliance, and intelligence.

In 1974 she entered the work force eventually retiring as Senior Account Representative in Marketing at Optima/Sentara Health  Plan. Along the way, her commitment to physical fitness inspired her to found a company, Lite Exercise, Inc. which featured a dance/exercise motif to motivate mature women to begin and continue a safe and truly enjoyable life-long physical conditioning program.

A passionate opera lover, for many years she was a volunteer Virginia Opera Docent. In this capacity she originated the very popular VO traveling trunk show which brought costumes, props and anecdotal stories explaining opera production to numerous audiences. For years she also chaired and taught in VO’s Adopt-A-School program and also authored the VO Fairy Tale Trunk show. Following these activities, continued serving on the Virginia Opera Guild board and gave backstage tours for 20 years.

Additionally, Julia was an Elderhostel (now Road Scholar program) instructor and adjunct faculty member for Old Dominion University where her charming and well researched lectures on music and opera were much in demand. Moreover, she was a much sought-after lecturer in things musical for the Ghent Venture.

She was a Lee’s Friends volunteer and derived much satisfaction from her colleagues in that organization and the families and patients she served.

For many years she entertained her fellow residents at Harbor’s Edge by performing in the annual Follies which amused them and which she enjoyed enormously.

She was predeceased by her husband or 54 years, the love of her life, William Stevens, Capt. USN (Ret.). Her cherished children are Ilene (Elena) Carney Stevens– husband Castle Eugene Parker of Norfolk,  Lisa Stevens Strait–husband Dr. Timothy Strait of Chattanooga, TN, Lynn Stevens Shepherd of Norfolk, and son William Elliott Stevens of Charlotte NC. Also surviving are her brother, James Francis Carney of Chester, MD.

Her grandchildren are Abigail Lynne Shlesinger, Catherine Watjen Aldahir, Anne Harden Watjen Rex, Davis Clay Shepherd, and William Cummings Shepherd, plus five great grandchildren.

There will be no local services. Julia will be inurned with her beloved husband at the USNA Columbarium at Annapolis, MD at a later date. 

Please honor her love for her precious rescue dogs by considering a donation to Peta or the Norfolk SPCA.

To offer condolences: vacremationsociety.com