Obituary of Julie Ann Kritzler

UTICA – Julie Ann Smoliga Kritzler, 81 of Marcy passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

     She was born on June 28, 1941, in Trenton, NJ, the only child of Julius Charles and Margaret Remenar Smoliga. She was the apple of her Daddy’s eye. Julie was educated from Kindergarten through High School at the Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton, NJ under the tutelage of the Religious Teachers Filippini with Classical Music emphasis. In 1963 she received her B. S. Degree and Board Certification in Medical Technology from Holy Family College, Torresdale, Phila. PA. Her first job was at the NJ Dept. of Health where she established the protocols for infant phenylketonuria screening.

     On June 12, 1965, she married William Robert Kritzler in the Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, W. Trenton, NJ, a Blessed Union of almost 58 years. The young couple located in Boston while Bill completed his Ph. D. studies In Electronics/Physics at Boston College. Julie found employment at Harvard Medical School where she worked on Kidney Dialysis Research but found time to sing with the Arlington Philharmonic Society and the Cambridge Opera Workshop Choruses. Um bel di!

     In 1969, with one son in tow, they came to Utica, loved the people and put down roots. Julie became a full time Mother to 2 boys and a girl. She sang with the Utica Chorale for many years. She loved Opera and Broadway Show tunes the most. Around 1980, with the children maturing, Julie established Maplelawn Farm specializing in American Saddlebred Horses. With the help and support of her best friend, Theresia Giardino, she engaged in giving riding lessons, showing, boarding and training horses for over 30 years. Julie was also a longtime supporter of The Mohican Model A Club of America, The Utica Maennerchor and The American Saddlebred Horse Association.

     Julie was a Communicant of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Utica, for over 50 years.

     Besides her beloved husband, Bill, Julie leaves three children: Rob Gregory Kritzler and his wife Stefanie and their children Jason, Susanna, Olivia and Alicia, Eric Julian Kritzler and his wife Michelle and their children Katharine and Elizabeth and Melissa Kritzler Jenne and her husband Wayne Jenne and their children Remington and Alexander. She leaves one Step granddaughter: Courtney Jones and her husband Ryan and their children Julian and Ellis.

     The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care she received from Amanda, Charlotte, Debbie, Jennifer, and Trish at The Grand R&N at Utica facility.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 4PM to 6PM at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later time to be announced in the spring from St. Peter’s Catholic Church 422 Coventry Ave., N. Utica with interment following at the Carr Cemetery, Marcy, NY.

     In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Kritzler’s name can made to Alzheimer’s Association, CNY Chapter, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY., 13204-1305.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Fond memories and messages of sympathy may be shared at www.heintzfuneralservice.net.