Julianna Makara a/k/a/ Julia Makara, age 97, passed away on May 20, 2017 following a lengthy illness. She leaves behind her nieces, Kimberly Hallas and Kathleen Sirko; nephews, Dale Sirko, William Sirko and David Sirko; her great nieces, Kayla Snyder, Kendra Walker and Kiana Walker; and great nephew, Thomas Snyder. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Hallas Makara Sirko and Andrew Makara, and her siblings, George Makara, Anna Makara Midlik, Andrew Makara, John Makara Sr., Mary Sirko and Thomas Sirko. Julia's mother, Mary Hallas Makara Sirko, had the courage, dedication and faith to travel from the Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe and build a new life here in the United States. She was supposed to be aboard the Titanic; however, the train was late from Paris. She literally missed the boat. She ended up boarding the Carpathia where she met Andrew Makara and John Sirko. The three became best friends. Mary Hallas married Andrew Makara. She worked as a dairymaid, and he was a coal miner. They had several children (George, Anna, Andrew, Julia and John) together. Andrew died from black lung disease. After mourning, Mary then married John Sirko. They had two children, Mary Sirko and Thomas Sirko. Julia lived in Bridgeport with her late brother, Andrew Makara, and family all of her life. She never married nor had children. Julia was dedicated to her family and lived her life as a recluse. She loved animals especially her cat, Ben. She was employed as a secretary with General Electric until she retired. She was a life-long member of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist in Bridgeport. Interment will be private at St. John's Cemetery in Stratford. At the family's request calling hours have been omitted. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Adzima Funeral Home-Stratford. Donations in Julia's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.