Martha Julie Sherman

Martha Julie Sherman was born in NYC on September 12, 1959. She died May 13, 2023, in Waynesville, NC, although her home has been in Asheville, NC, for many years. She is survived by her sister, Claire Sherman; brother-in-law, Ed Anisman; and their children: Ezra Anisman and Shira Anisman; as well as her boyfriend, Bill Murphy, and a huge number of friends. Julie’s parents were Saul and Ursula Sherman of Berkeley, CA, who predeceased her. Although her first name was Martha, in third grade she requested that everyone call her by her middle name, “Julie.” She’s been Julie ever since then. Julie grew up in Berkeley, CA, graduated from Berkeley High School, and received her BA from the University of CA Santa Cruz. She also had a teaching credential. Julie was committed to social action. She volunteered for candidates and groups who represented an improvement in people’s lives both locally and nationally. Her professional career encompassed many fields, including education, health education, health care, and non-profit and faith-based organizations. Most recently she worked for the online bookselling platform Biblio.com, headquartered in Asheville, NC. Julie was a builder of community, both professionally and socially. She typically hosted more than 20 people for Thanksgiving, Passover, and other holidays. Her eclectic love of music included a range from Classical to the Grateful Dead. She was a fine cook and an amazing baker. Her baking was legendary, especially her pies, cakes, bread, and scones. Although she’s made jam for years, having learned how from her mother, recently, she’s experimented with making exotic jam and jelly from blossoms, such as redbud, Rose of Sharon, peony, clover, and lilac. She knew exactly where to find the best produce for any of her cooking projects and could tell you where to pick juneberries, for jam, along Merrimon. Her gluten-free friends counted on her to make wonderful gluten-free birthday cakes from almond or coconut flour. Julie was active in her community, serving on many boards and volunteering for many organizations, including the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, the Names Project AIDS Quilt, a reading literacy organization, the Jewish Music Festival in Berkeley, CA, the Aquarian Minyan, and Congregation Beth Israel in Asheville. Julie was committed to social action. She volunteered countless hours for candidates and groups who represented an improvement in people’s lives, both locally and nationally. Julie was diagnosed with esophageal cancer sixteen years ago. Her first five-year goal was to live to see her niece, Shira’s, Bat Mitzvah. Shira is now 24 years old. The cancer returned three times. In the past few months, Julie has suffered both seizures and strokes, landing her in Mission Hospital four times. She passed away in hospice care at Autumn Care in Waynesville, NC, after her health continued to deteriorate. In lieu of flowers, Julie asks that you donate towards women’s reproductive health and organizations such as Planned Parenthood. Julie’s memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, at Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Ave, Asheville, and on Zoom. Julie’s memory is indeed a blessing for all who knew her.

Tributes

Martha Julie Sherman

September 12, 1959 - May 13, 2023