Biruta Julia Wiggington of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away with her family at her bedside on January 21, 2025 at the age of 85. She leaves behind her son, Edwin Wiggington, daughter, Deborah Merino (John), sister Laima LeLieuvre, and grandchildren, Anna and Alex Merino. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Ray, her sister, Inta Abele, and her brother, Visvaldis Zarins.
Julia was born in Latvia at the onset of WWII. At the age of five she and her family spent several years in various refugee camps in eastern Europe escaping Russian rule, then Nazi occupation. At the age of 10, Julia and her family were granted permission to immigrate to the United States. Their sponsors were in the tiny town of Crenshaw, Mississippi. She watched her parents, grateful for freedom, humble themselves and work menial jobs like picking cotton to make a better life for their children. Julia’s journey to citizenship instilled her with a great sense of duty to family, pride of self-sufficiency, and a very strong work ethic.
When Julia was a teenager, the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where there was a small community of Latvians and a Latvian church. While a college student at Indiana University and working at a diner, she met the love of her life. Ray swept Julia off her feet, literally. They often enjoyed dancing together, especially the jitterbug. They were fortunate enough to travel to places like Italy and Hawaii. And there were treasured road trips with the kids to places like Daytona Beach and California. After raising her children, she and Ray were able to realize their dream of moving west to Phoenix. Julia worked various administrative jobs throughout her life, finally retiring from the IRS at age 65. She was a faithful caretaker to everyone, but especially to Ray, always putting her needs aside. It took its toll on her but she never lost the spunk and spirit of her youth or her sense of humor. Julia surprised us all one day when she parachuted out of a plane at the age of sixty. Even in her last years she could be found outside gardening or “scratching in the dirt” as she would say, one of her favorite activities. Julia always enjoyed singing, her amazingly talented and vibrant voice often filled our home with joy. Her voice and her never ending love will forever resonate in our hearts.
Special thanks and gratitude to Hospice of the Valley, the staff at Clearwater Ahwatukee, and the therapists at EmpowerMe Wellness Ahwatukee. A small service will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207, on Friday January 31st. Viewing and visitation will begin at 12:30 pm with a chapel service at 1:00 pm, followed by a short graveside ceremony.