Julia von Szeliski Albrecht

Julia von Szeliski Albrecht: Mother, Civil Servant, Volunteer Julia Albrecht died peacefully on February 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA, continually surrounded in her final days by family. Married to US diplomat Anthony C. Albrecht for 68 years, Julia delivered their first son in Washington DC, their second in Spain, their third in Nicaragua, and their fourth in northern Virginia. The family lived together in Belgium for five years, and then returned to the DC area, where, after raising her sons, Julia worked in the State Department and represented the United States at the United Nations. For that work she received the Meritorious Honor Award recognizing her outstanding performance in furthering United States foreign policy goals. Born to Victor and Rose von Szeliski in 1932 in New York City, Julia was valedictorian of her graduating class at White Plains (NY) High School. She attended Oberlin College, where she majored in psychology, lived in French House, and was president of the Modern Dance Club. She graduated in 1953, elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Over the decades, Julia participated in many prayer groups, where she developed enduring friendships. Throughout their marriage she and her husband were members of Teams of Our Lady in both Belgium and the USA. At different stages of family life, she was a member of St. Bartholomew and Little Flower parishes in the DC suburbs. Most recently she was an active member of Holy Trinity Parish in Georgetown and its women’s group. Julia was one of the earliest members of the Washington area Ignatian Volunteer Corps. In her steadfast work as a volunteer for over 20 years, she became recognized and honored as a specialist in helping people write their resumes. For five years she volunteered at Jubilee Jobs, whose mission is to help the unemployed and underemployed find “sustenance, dignity, and hope.” Many of their clients have had significant handicaps such as the lack of a high school diploma, physical or mental disability, limited English, a criminal record, or a history of addiction. In reflecting on her work Julia wrote, “I sense that as I work with Christians from other denominations, I represent the Catholic tradition of working for social justice. That ‘role’ and the experience of union with Christians working together to build the kingdom are both important to me.” With the Montgomery County Pre-Release and Reentry Services she gave similar assistance to persons ready to be released from prison. Among her joys were cultivating indoor plants and singing in the local Masterworks Chorus. She is survived by her husband, Anthony C. Albrecht; her sons Anthony Jr. (Cynthia), Christopher, Michael (Sarah Browning), and Daniel; grandchildren Jamie Albrecht (Whitney Nelsen), Anna and Charlotte Albrecht, Mara and Grace Senecal-Albrecht; brothers-in-law John Albrecht (Suzanne) and Carl Albrecht (Laurie); brother John von Szeliski, and sister Margaret Connolly (Thomas). Funeral Mass at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 E Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, Friday February 24 at 11 am. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA. A memorial Service at Holy Trinity Church in Washington DC will be held later this spring. Donations to honor Julia’s memory made be made to Sanctuary Farm, an urban farm in North Philadelphia: https://www.sanctuaryfarmphila.org. Condolences at https://www.jacobfruth.com.