Julia Enyart Bain

Julia Enyart Bain, died October 9 at her home having lived a long, happy and joyous life. The love of her family filled her every moment until the day she died. She was 94 years old.

Julia was born August 3, 1931, in Des Moines, Iowa, the third of three girls for Charles and Margaret Enyart. The family moved to Cleveland when Julia was three, living in a hotel while her father liquidated banks during the great depression. Julia and her sisters spent hours riding the elevators from the penthouse where they lived to the lobby, laundry, and everywhere in between. Much to her parents’ chagrin, the girls ran hotel staff ragged with their antics. That spirit of adventure, curiosity, and determination followed Julia throughout her life.

Julia and her sisters, Mary and Charlotte, remained close throughout their lives, always having fun, making the best kind of trouble and looking good doing it. When Mary married and moved to Seattle, Charlotte and Julia, barely out of their teens, drove a newly purchased car out to her. There were no cell phones or highways, only western union and state routes but off they went with a billy club for safety and each other for company.

Julia met the love of her life, Bruce Bain, at Yale when a friend from Akron insisted he knew a young man that she might like. She did and they married October 18, 1952, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Julia and Bruce would call Westminster their spiritual home for the next 75 years.

Once married, Julia became an active volunteer on Akron boards – Children’s Hospital, Stan Hywet, Akron Garden Club, the Junior League. With her can-do spirit, she established the Fairlawn Heights Annual 4th of July Parade in 1973. The parade committee recognized her in 2018 as Grand Marshall on the 45th anniversary.

As a mother, Julia played swim coach, girl scout leader, chauffeur, cook, drill sergeant, seamstress, and confidante. If a club was leaderless, she stepped in. If someone needed a costume, she made it. She went to every choir concert and felt every knee-scrape. Always lovingly pragmatic, Julia addressed what needed to get done, did it, and never lost track of what was most important.

In the 70s, her boys sported long hair and when they came to church, she would hear an inevitable comment to which she would respond, “What’s important is that they are here.”

When Annie’s dog got lost during her wedding reception, Julia, in her gown, piled everyone into the car to search the neighborhood only to find the dog in the basement the next morning.

Her strength, candor, and presence earned her the nickname, “the General” and only Bruce claimed to outrank her.

Their love affair throughout 70 years of marriage was remarkable. While each played a traditional role, Julia and Bruce were equal in all things. They raised 5 beautiful children, and watched 21 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild grow and thrive. They sat across the dinner table and discussed business. They traveled all over the world, even as Julia’s mobility became impaired. It never held her back. They spent summers on Spofford Lake and built their dream house in Akron where they would live their last years together. Always together.

Her children – Steve, Bruce, George, Margaret and Anne – and their spouses – Jennifer, Arla, Maureen, Michael, and Terry -- are a tight knit group. Her grandchildren are close despite the years and miles that separate them. When they are all together, it is a sight to see, and strangers are welcomed with open arms. Julia and Bruce passed their love and commitment for each other to the family they held dear. They lived and taught that when you are with those that you love, be joyous and glad in it.

This is the enduring legacy that Julia leaves for us all.

A memorial service will be held 11 A.M. MONDAY October 27th Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 West Exchange St. Akron, OH 44313. Private Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Julia Bain’s extraordinary life may be made to the Margaret C. Enyart Memorial Music Fund at Westminster. 

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)