Julie D. Weeks

Julie Djurdja Weeks (née Vukelic) lived life at full throttle, with a contagious laugh, sparkling eyes, and an unshakeable belief that every day was an opportunity for adventure. Born and passing in Lorain, Ohio, she spent the years between exploring the world - from sunny island beaches to the peaks and valleys of her beloved outdoor adventures.

A woman of extraordinary intelligence and boundless energy, Julie could fix anything, solve any problem, and find joy in every challenge. She earned her Outstanding Adjunct Faculty award teaching Computer Engineering, where her sharp wit and brilliant mind inspired countless students. Together with her husband, Dr. Douglas Weeks, she built Advanced Preventive Medicine from the ground up, driven by her passion for helping people live healthier lives.

But ask anyone who knew Julie what defined her, and they'd tell you about her zest for life. She was the kind of person who would sneak away to Cedar Point for a roller coaster fix, rappel off cliffs in West Virginia just for the thrill, and drag anyone willing on kayaking trips and golf outings. She & Doug went on outdoor adventures around the world, once bringing her mother Dorothy and brother Bobby all the way to Mount Rushmore. Every trip was an expedition, every challenge an invitation.

Her greatest joy, though, was her five grandchildren: Gunnar (10), Niko (6), Mica (4), Ella (2), and Audelyn (10 months). Whether she was gardening with Gunnar or orchestrating an elaborate solar eclipse viewing party for the kids, Julie had an endless supply of creative ideas and infectious enthusiasm. She didn't just spend time with them - she created magic.

A devoted follower of God and faithful member of her small church community, Julie lived her faith through action: always there to help, endlessly resourceful, and genuinely committed to making the world around her better. Her big, bright smile and hilarious sense of humor lit up every room she entered.

Julie is survived by her husband, Dr. Douglas Weeks; her son Eric Manicsic and his son Gunnar Manicsic; her daughter Tara Manicsic, married to Matthew Swaidan, and their children Niko, Mica, Ella, and Audelyn; her mother Dorothy Hazelton (née Preston); and her siblings Darlene Vukelic, Bobby Vukelic, Michael Vukelic, and Irene Lingenfelter. She was preceded in death by her father, Djuro Vukelic.

Julie will be laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery, but her spirit - adventurous, generous, brilliant, and full of life - will live on in everyone who knew her, and especially in the hearts of those five grandchildren who brought her so much joy.