A Tribute to Julie North

By her goddaughter, Sara Howard

Julie North (née Hanreck) was born on 18 July, 1934 and spent her early years in the village of Rowhook, West Sussex. She enjoyed country living and soon learned to ride the horse that her father, a dental surgeon, had bought her.

Aged 10, Julie contracted polio, which left its mark on her for the rest of her life (she always walked with a slight limp). Sadly, this also dashed her hopes and dreams of performing with The Royal Ballet – she had shown great talent as a dancer from a young age.

In 1947 the family moved to the market town of Horsham, West Sussex. They lived on The Causeway, next to the dental practice where her father worked. Its historic, picturesque street lined with 17th, 18th, and 19th-century houses, where the Horsham Museum is also located, may well have sparked her appreciation of architecture and historical buildings. Julie often returned to Rowhook to ride her horse; her interest in ballet and musical theatre continued throughout her life, and she enjoyed many visits to various London and provincial theatres and performing arts venues.

After leaving school, Julie went to a secretarial college in London, eventually finding work as a housekeeper at a large hotel in Devon. She moved from there to join the restaurant Quaglino’s in London, again as housekeeper. While there, she met her future husband, David North, only son of Sir George and Lady North. Julie and David bought a beautiful, thatched cottage in central Devon and spent many happy years there. However, 1998 proved a particularly difficult year for Julie, who lost both David and her mother within a few weeks of each other.

With typical stoic resolve, combined with her characteristic zest for life, Julie picked herself up and marched forward. She moved to a flat in Beckenham, Kent and later to a larger two-bedroom flat in the same area. She continued to enjoy trips to London to see plays and the ballet.

For many years, she worked at British Telecom and rose steadily through the ranks to become PA to a senior director. Julie was extremely articulate and organised and took immense pride in all aspects of her home and work lives. She was an ardent philanthropist and generously supported many charitable causes and organisations. Among these, on her death in 2020, were notable bequests to The National Trust for its restoration project at Castle Drogo and to The Lutyens Trust. Highly community-minded, she took on the role of Director and Chair of the Palgrave Estate Management Committee – a role in which she thrived, and her drive and enthusiasm for it were second to none.

Although a very private, modest person, Julie greatly enjoyed the many social and (extended) family gatherings and celebrations that she regularly attended. She was a good conversationalist and always willing to share an opinion.

All those who met and spent time with Julie will agree that her great verve, which helped her to overcome the setbacks she endured, is to be much admired. She was a shining example to us all.