MADISON – Julie Sybil Schutten Pitot, age 85, was called to eternal life on October 21, 2017. Julie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 28, 1932, the youngest of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schutten. Julie graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1950. She was strongly committed to her Catholic faith, and formed a lasting bond with the nuns of the school, continuing to visit them every spring until just a few years ago.

Julie met the love of her life, Dr. Henry C. Pitot, III, in 1951, and their shared marriage of 63 years began on July 29, 1954. She was always proud of the “MRS” Degree she earned through her busy life as a wife and as a mother to eight children – seven girls and one boy. The young couple moved to Wisconsin in 1959 with four small children, and moved into the house on Madison’s near west side that would become their home for 33 years, soon welcoming four more children.

As a mother, Julie was a force of nature—expecting the best of her children and handling every challenge that came along. An active PTA member and volunteer at the grade school all her kids attended, Blessed Sacrament, she made sure that her children were constantly learning. One summer she led her family on a six-week road trip to California and back, packing all ten into a station wagon for the drive. The trip became a traveling classroom, as each child was assigned to research a section of the journey. Her commitment to her children’s success paid off as every single one became highly accomplished in her or his own right.

Julie excelled as a cook, both for her large family and for the many social gatherings she hosted in her home. Julie was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church for over fifty years, and the Pitots were known for welcoming members of the congregation, her husband’s co-workers and staff, neighbors, and foreign exchange students into the home. In addition to her culinary skills, she deserved an honorary degree in Finance and became a savvy investor along with the women in her investment group.

Not one to sit still after her kids became more independent, Julie picked up tennis and then skiing in her 40s, driving carloads of kids to northern Wisconsin to ski every winter. She and Henry loved their time with friends and family at their cabin on Spider Lake in Hayward. As her children grew up and began having babies of their own, “Nanie” became a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, watching over the children in and around the lake and cabin.

Julie was preceded in death by her beloved first-born daughter Bertha Elizabeth Pitot Hubbard. Losing Beth was devastating to the whole family, and we can draw comfort from knowing these two amazing women are together again.

Julie is survived by her loving husband, Henry; six daughters, Anita (Gregory) Mayer of Paradise Valley, AZ, Jeanne (Robert) Pitot-Frank of Madison, Catherine (Gregory) Genin of Madison, Michelle Pitot of Tucson, AZ, Lisa Pitot of Ft. Collins, CO, and Patrice (Erik) Bruneman of San Francisco, CA; son, Henry (Kika Dudiak) Pitot of Rochester, MN; son-in-law Peter Hubbard of Madison; sixteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2131 Rowley Ave., Madison, on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Andrew McAlpin, O.P., Pastor, officiating and Father Patrick Norris, O.P., concelebrating. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. A luncheon will be held after Mass in the basement of the Church. A private family burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. All are welcome to join us for a Recitation of the Rosary at 5:30 p.m. and gathering at 6:00 to 8 p.m. to be held at Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home, 5701 Odana Road, Madison, on Wednesday, October 25th. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to either McArdle Laboratories for Cancer Research, 1111 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53705 or Susan G. Komen Wisconsin (“There Are Angels Among Us Fund”) 8030 Excelsior Drive Lower Level, Madison, WI 53717. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Attic Angels and the many personal care givers who provided such loving care to Julie at the end of her days. We all love her so very much.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Julie Pitot

June 28, 1932 - October 21, 2017

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