Julia Paige Martocchio, 31

Julia Paige Martocchio, age 31, passed away peacefully at her New Canaan, CT home on September 22, 2026, embraced by her loving family and caregivers. During special moments over her final days, Julia was able to sit on her back porch, taking in the quiet beauty of her backyard and the lilac tree planted in her honor more than twenty years ago.

Julia Martocchio

Born with a brain injury, Julia faced unique challenges, including a seizure disorder. Yet, despite these obstacles, Julia lived a brave, vibrant, and extraordinarily full life. Although technically an adult, Julia lived with the pure, uninhibited heart of a child. She was a social spirit, and joy accompanied her wherever she went. She welcomed everyone she met fully, unabashedly, and without reservation, usually blowing kisses or offering a kiss on the hand. Julia had a beautiful smile and a face full of freckles, and she took particular pride in her beautiful hair, which seemed to change color with the seasons from auburn, to strawberry blond, to copper. Though petite in frame, Julia’s strength was surprising, best felt through her legendary, vice-grip hugs that radiated pure, rejuvenating energy. Julia’s ability to communicate was remarkable despite the fact that her expressive language was limited to only a few words and signs. She understood far more than she could say, absorbing every story and conversation–missing nothing.

Julia embraced every day, and often called out excitedly from her bed to signal the start of a new morning. She loved life’s simple pleasures: snapping her fingers or stomping her feet to her favorite Raffi songs, making art together at the kitchen table with her hand pressed into yours (often making lists of the people she loved), going out to lunch, visiting her favorite cashier at the grocery store, enjoying a leisurely bath, getting a little hair trim, or painting her toenails pink. Reading storybooks was one of Julia’s favorite ways to connect with people, though her sweet, sharing nature meant she would usually only let you read a few pages before insisting it was someone else’s turn. Her bedroom was filled with imagination and play, especially tea parties with her ever-growing collection of dolls–including her cherished Raggedy Ann. Julia had a bit of a mischievous streak and a hearty belly laugh which could be heard when one of her dolls would run into trouble. She loved to orchestrate scenarios where a doll would fall off a table, or perhaps venture too close to a hot light, which would necessitate a call to the “doctor”.

Julia’s world was wide and rich. A seasoned traveler, she experienced the beauty of Venice, Barcelona, Stockholm, and Paris, and was able to hit the slopes on family vacations thanks to wonderful adaptive ski programs. Born in New York City, Julia moved to New Canaan at the age of seven, and benefited greatly from the exceptional special education department of the New Canaan Public Schools and, later, the programming of STAR Inc. Lighting the Way. For more than twenty years, New Canaan offered a welcoming and inclusive home to Julia where she formed so many lasting bonds. Her connection to the community became abundantly clear whenever she strolled down Elm Street in her wheelchair, and was met with the enthusiastic greetings of the many local residents who knew her. Business owners were especially caring–one even reserving a regular table for her Friday night dinners with Mom and Dad. Julia fully embraced community life, delighting in summers at the YMCA’s Camp Jam, weekly music therapy sessions through Arts for Healing and RhythmHearts, and fellowship at First Presbyterian’s “Special Church”. She was also a regular at the Summer Theatre of New Canaan, where she always had a front-row seat.

Perhaps at the top of Julia’s list was the New Canaan Library. In addition to offering her a wealth of books to enjoy, the library gave Julia the gifts of continued education, enjoyment of the arts, and socialization with her peers. The librarians always found a way to include Julia in particular programming despite the fact that sometimes she was “just a little” above the age limit. Among the many rich NCL-sponsored programs that have benefited Julia over the years are: the UNIQUE Series through Concordia Conservatory, (Not) Just for Kids: Norwalk Symphony, and Adaptive Storytime created by Rebecca Fox.

Julia is survived by her devoted parents, Amanda and Don; her beloved younger brother, Luke; her grandparents, David A. Crocker and Florence Martocchio; her loving circle of aunts and uncles, Catherine Crocker and Steven Moser, David P. Crocker, Stephen and Melissa Martocchio, and Judi and Michael Lyons; as well as her dear cousins, Anna, Jeffrey, Brynn, Aidan, Elise, and Chase. Julia was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Edna Crocker. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Julia’s exceptional caregivers, Sophia Brown, Moira Phillips, Veronica Nelson, Suzanne Bridgemohan, and so many others whose endless devotion, tenderness, and love sustained and enriched her life every single day.

A Celebration of Julia’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Julia’s memory to the New Canaan Library newcanaanlibrary.org, a place that uplifted Julia throughout her life. Please refer any questions to Ellie Moore at emoore@newcanaanlibrary.org.

The Family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan CT 06840. For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.