2012
Julia
2019
Julia Bitto
June 6, 2012 — March 14, 2019
Julia Lynne "Jules" Bitto, 6, of Malvern, PA went to her forever home on the evening of March 14, 2019. Julia's passing comes nearly 19-months after being diagnosed with DIPG-Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer.
Born to Timothy Paul Bitto and Christy Petty Bitto, Julia lived in Malvern, PA after the family moved from Conshohocken, PA in 2014. She attended For Kids' Sake pre-school and General Wayne Elementary School along with her big brother Colin James Bitto, 8.
Julia's personality was larger than life, and she had a smile that could light up a room to go with it. She especially loved performing and took dance classes at Bowman Dance Company and School where her teacher lovingly referred to her as her "front and center girl."
When she wasn't dancing, you could find her outside with her family taking a dip in the hot tub or riding scooters and playing whiffle ball with her brother and the neighborhood kids. In the summer she loved going to Rehoboth beach where running from the waves was a favorite activity and swimming in the pool was a must! No trip to the beach was complete without hitting the rides at Fun Land, a quick stop at Kohr Bros. for ice cream and sitting down to dinner at Nicola Pizza.
Pizza was a staple in her diet at home as well. She enjoyed regular visits to see her friends at Venice Pizza and had a weakness for their Greek salad with homemade dressing! Julia also had a sweet tooth. At the top of her sweets list were Reese's peanut butter cups, peanut M&M's and Nilla wafers (which Santa delivered this past Christmas fulfilling her wish for 100 boxes!)
On August 29, 2017, Julia was diagnosed with DIPG, an inoperable, terminal brain tumor intertwined within her brainstem. Like a true warrior, Julia completed 30 radiation treatments while continuing to go to kindergarten. She then participated in a clinical trial at CHOP but after nine short months her symptoms returned and Julia went back to Penn for further radiation treatments. Julia was then able to enjoy the summer and even started 1st grade while waiting for a spot on a new trial out of NYU. Late September of 2018 she was accepted into the trial but sadly, a month later, her symptoms returned once again. Julia powered through yet a third round of radiation and was able to continue on the trial drug until February when her lung collapsed. While at the hospital, her family was told that Julia had only days or weeks to live, so they brought her home and made her as comfortable as possible until her passing 3 weeks later. Throughout it all, Julia found ways to enjoy life no matter what DIPG threw at her.
Julia will be dearly missed by her devoted father, mother and brother along with maternal grandparents, Don and Sue Petty of Rehoboth Beach, DE and paternal grandparents, Don and Donna Bitto of Lansdale, PA, aunt Sarah Bitto of Phoenixville, PA, aunts and uncles: Don (Madeline Brown) Bitto of Downingtown, PA and George (Robyne) Bertele and cousin Nathan Bertele of Langhorne, PA.
A memorial service for Julia will take place at Main Line Unitarian Church-816 S Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA on Saturday, March 23rd at 11 a.m. Family and friends will be received beginning at 9 a.m. at the church. There will be a Celebration of Life reception immediately following the service across the street at St. David's Episcopal Church-763 Valley Forge Rd. Please honor Julia by wearing her favorite colors of turquoise and purple. All who loved her including children are welcome to attend.
The Bitto family, with the help of The Foundation at Great Valley 501(c)(3), has set up a fund that will be used to make improvements to their neighborhood playground where Julia often played as a way to honor her life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Foundation at Great Valley c/o Great Valley School District-47 Church Road Malvern, PA 19355 or may be dropped off at General Wayne Elementary School-20 Devon Road Malvern, PA 19355. Please notate Julia Bitto Memorial Park Fund on donations made by check. Additional payment options will be available shortly as an online page is being created for the fund.
Born to Timothy Paul Bitto and Christy Petty Bitto, Julia lived in Malvern, PA after the family moved from Conshohocken, PA in 2014. She attended For Kids' Sake pre-school and General Wayne Elementary School along with her big brother Colin James Bitto, 8.
Julia's personality was larger than life, and she had a smile that could light up a room to go with it. She especially loved performing and took dance classes at Bowman Dance Company and School where her teacher lovingly referred to her as her "front and center girl."
When she wasn't dancing, you could find her outside with her family taking a dip in the hot tub or riding scooters and playing whiffle ball with her brother and the neighborhood kids. In the summer she loved going to Rehoboth beach where running from the waves was a favorite activity and swimming in the pool was a must! No trip to the beach was complete without hitting the rides at Fun Land, a quick stop at Kohr Bros. for ice cream and sitting down to dinner at Nicola Pizza.
Pizza was a staple in her diet at home as well. She enjoyed regular visits to see her friends at Venice Pizza and had a weakness for their Greek salad with homemade dressing! Julia also had a sweet tooth. At the top of her sweets list were Reese's peanut butter cups, peanut M&M's and Nilla wafers (which Santa delivered this past Christmas fulfilling her wish for 100 boxes!)
On August 29, 2017, Julia was diagnosed with DIPG, an inoperable, terminal brain tumor intertwined within her brainstem. Like a true warrior, Julia completed 30 radiation treatments while continuing to go to kindergarten. She then participated in a clinical trial at CHOP but after nine short months her symptoms returned and Julia went back to Penn for further radiation treatments. Julia was then able to enjoy the summer and even started 1st grade while waiting for a spot on a new trial out of NYU. Late September of 2018 she was accepted into the trial but sadly, a month later, her symptoms returned once again. Julia powered through yet a third round of radiation and was able to continue on the trial drug until February when her lung collapsed. While at the hospital, her family was told that Julia had only days or weeks to live, so they brought her home and made her as comfortable as possible until her passing 3 weeks later. Throughout it all, Julia found ways to enjoy life no matter what DIPG threw at her.
Julia will be dearly missed by her devoted father, mother and brother along with maternal grandparents, Don and Sue Petty of Rehoboth Beach, DE and paternal grandparents, Don and Donna Bitto of Lansdale, PA, aunt Sarah Bitto of Phoenixville, PA, aunts and uncles: Don (Madeline Brown) Bitto of Downingtown, PA and George (Robyne) Bertele and cousin Nathan Bertele of Langhorne, PA.
A memorial service for Julia will take place at Main Line Unitarian Church-816 S Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA on Saturday, March 23rd at 11 a.m. Family and friends will be received beginning at 9 a.m. at the church. There will be a Celebration of Life reception immediately following the service across the street at St. David's Episcopal Church-763 Valley Forge Rd. Please honor Julia by wearing her favorite colors of turquoise and purple. All who loved her including children are welcome to attend.
The Bitto family, with the help of The Foundation at Great Valley 501(c)(3), has set up a fund that will be used to make improvements to their neighborhood playground where Julia often played as a way to honor her life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Foundation at Great Valley c/o Great Valley School District-47 Church Road Malvern, PA 19355 or may be dropped off at General Wayne Elementary School-20 Devon Road Malvern, PA 19355. Please notate Julia Bitto Memorial Park Fund on donations made by check. Additional payment options will be available shortly as an online page is being created for the fund.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Julia Bitto, please visit our flower store.
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