Julie Jung

Julie Ann Jung, 73, of Severna Park and a retired kindergarten teacher who had a unique collection of bears, died of cancer June 25 at Living Well Assisted Living in Millersville after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Jung taught at Oak Hill Elementary School for 20 years. Known as the Teddy Bear Lady of Severna Park, she took her teddy bears to school as a teaching tool, especially during Bear Month in January. During the reading period, the children would sit around and take turns reading to the very attentive bear.

"Both young and old like teddy bears," she told The Capital in an article on Jan. 5, 1991. "Bears become real for the kindergarten-age children. They respond to them as they would to a person. They can be a learning exprerience for the children, which is actually my whole purpose for having them."

Born in Washington, Ind., on June 21, 1932, and reared in Bloomington, Ind., Mrs. Jung graduated from Indiana University in 1953.

She was a member of the Red Hatters, the Chartwell Garden Club, the Panhellenic Council and numerous bridge clubs. Besides attending bear shows and collecting more than 150 bears, Mrs. Jung enjoyed gardening and playing bridge.

Surviving are her husband, Donald H. Jung; one son, Marc S. Jung of Pasadena; two daughters, Debra Ann Jung of Columbia and Cindy L. Rostek of Pasadena; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or American Cancer Society, Anne Arundel Central, 1041 Route 3 North, Gambrills, MD 21054.
Published June 26, 2007, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2007 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.