Julia B. Grove

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful wife and mother, Julia Beck Grove, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Trillium Place. She was born on January 13, 1942, to the late Eugene and Arlene (Hirneisen) Beck. Julia had a lifelong love of learning and education. She was a graduate of Ephrata High School, Class of 1960, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville University. She devoted her career to teaching, spending many years educating students of various grade levels at the former Seiler Elementary School in the Donegal School District. To Julia, teaching was never simply a job, it was a calling. She brought endless patience, creativity, compassion, and kindness to her classroom. She especially cherished those “lightbulb moments” when a student finally grasped a difficult concept. Julia had a gift for recognizing that every moment could be a teachable moment, and through her dedication, she touched the lives of countless students, families, and colleagues. The impact she made as an educator will continue to live on in the many lives she influenced. Outside of the classroom, Julia enjoyed playing pinochle with friends and family, gardening, reading, and, most of all, spending time with the people she loved. Julia and her husband, Bill were part of a group of friends who all met through JAYCEES in Mount Joy in the early 70’s. They enjoyed many fun trips to Stone Harbor and Avalon, NJ as well as trips to the mountains near Shady Gap. Julia and Bill have maintained these special friendships for more than 56 years. Julia also loved spending her summers taking big family trips to Avalon, NJ, and later, as the family grew, to the Outer Banks. Her family was the center of her world, and she took great pride and joy in being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her beloved husband, William “Bill” Grove; four daughters, Lesli LaFata (Mike) of Wyomissing, PA; Melissa McCloskey (John) of Atlanta, GA; Aimee Cooke (Dan) of Phoenixville, PA; and Heather Gronholm (Lars) of Lancaster, PA; as well as, ten grandchildren, Ashley LaFata (Mike Walker); Jason LaFata (Erica); Madison and Jack McCloskey; Madeleine, Hannah, and Lila Cooke; and Ava, Soren, and Emilia Gronholm; and four great-grandchildren, Olivia and Owen Walker, and Bella and Bennett LaFata. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Beck and Arlene (Beck) Wingenroth, and her sister, Madeleine Casal. Our family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Amedisys Hospice as well as the staff on Wissler Run at Trillium Place for their compassionate care and support during Julia's last weeks. Their kindness will not be forgotten. A memorial service honoring Julia’s life will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 85 Brandt Blvd., Landisville, PA 17538, on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends will be received at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be private. A luncheon reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Amedisys Foundation or Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Landisville, PA in Julia’s memory.

Julia B. Grove

January 13, 1942 - August 12, 2026