Julia Weintritt Pastore, 71, of Hightstown, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded by her two daughters on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Serenity at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, New Jersey. Born on March 31, 1954, in Bellaire, TX, Julie’s early years were spent with her family in Texas, and vacationing in North Carolina and New Mexico. An accomplished Girl Scout, she moved to New Jersey at the age of 15, but remained a Texan at heart throughout her life. She quickly adapted and thrived in her new home, earning her high school diploma from Princeton High School. A born-again Christian with tremendous faith that guided her every step, Julie carried the values of hard work, compassion, and creativity, which she infused into everything she did. An accomplished artist in her own right, Julie worked primarily in graphite and pastel, often focused on nature scenes or studies of animals. 

Julie will be remembered not only for her exceptional skills as a professional horse and dog trainer, but also for her passion for cooking and baking. In the 1970s and 1980s, she and her husband Frank owned and operated L’Amico’s, a beloved Italian restaurant in New Iberia, LA, which was memorialized in local newspapers years after closing for its home-cooked meals and welcoming atmosphere, and known as far as New Orleans for the quality of their cuisine, in particular the fresh bread which they baked daily. 

A lover of nature, Julie found joy tending to her vegetable and strawberry garden and creating vibrant floral displays around her home. Her culinary talents shone brightly as she mastered the art of smoking meats in her cherished “Big Green Egg,” sharing her delicious creations and famed pumpkin and blueberry pies during family gatherings and holidays. Her pies were a yearly favorite of her granddaughter, Sophia Zawartkay.

Julie’s greatest joy came from her family; she cherished every moment spent with her beloved husband Frank, her daughters, Caroline and Christiana, and reveled in watching her granddaughter, Sophia, grow and looked forward to decorating cookies every Christmas with her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering faith will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Predeceased by her parents, Donald and Rachel Weintritt, and her stepmother Comfort Weintritt, Julie is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Frank R. Pastore; her daughters, Caroline J. Pastore and her husband Thomas Reidy, and Christiana M. Pastore; her brothers and sister and their partners, Wallace and Jill Weintritt, John Weintritt, Donald, Jr. and Angela Weintritt, and Catherine Johnson and her husband Patrick Johnson, along with their families; and her precious granddaughter, Sophia Zawartkay. 

Friends and family will gather for visitation on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, NJ, offering an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and share in the love and memories of a remarkable and beloved woman.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, NJ, followed by private cremation services.

Flowers are welcome, however, as an additional option a donation may be made in Julie’s memory to Ovarian Cancer Research by visiting https://ovarian.org.